Radically Happy

MIC Check

Today’s Most Important Challenge is…

• Connecting my head and heart
• So I can connect others
• To the crucified Christ

Immanuel Approach Memo

Continued from Hooked

I am… helpless.

The alienated hunter-self we chased
Shot arrows into my side
And the brain of dolphin-Jesus

All this
After I had given him
All my Hope!

Why?

I look for Jesus.

I see Him
Close His eyes
Grow still
And roll over
Floating belly up

I see the hole
I tore in His side
When I had a rabid fox-mouth

A wound
Matching my own
Which slowly drains
My strength
My life
My will
My ego

I cry out.

With my last breath:

“Is this how it ends?”

To my surprise
I hear Him reply
Not with clicks and whistles
But a thought
Clearer than my own:

No. This is how it begins!

I turn my hawk-head
Away from my human pain
Towards the wounds of Jesus

I see a thin line
Connecting the arrows
In His head
And my side

I realize
The one who attacked us
Actually connected me
To Jesus

Jesus says:

“Now do you see?
All hunters
Must vent their rage
On me
Before
They can be redeemed”

I lift my eyes
To the hunter
Who has fallen to his knees
With grief and self-loathing
For all that he has done

I see him
With the eyes of Christ
As myself
As I have been seen
By Christ

I shudder with horror
As I finally realize…

The terrible deed I must do!

To be continued

Reflection

I feel…

• Drained
• Emptied
• Hurting
• Wretched
• Plugged in to Jesus
• Redemptive
• Chosen for great honor

Scripture

I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose.
Yet I leave it all in the LORD’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.”

Isaiah 49:4