Radically Happy

MIC Check

Today’s Most Important Challenge is…

• Rescuing and protecting
• The fears exposed
• By thinning my ego

Immanuel Approach Memo

Continued from Belonging

I am… splintered.

I see Jesus
In my reflections
In all the glass
On all the buildings and vehicles
Of a bustling city

I close my eyes.

It is too much
For me to bear

I cannot handle
Seeing Jesus
In so many fragmented
Contradictory ways

I listen to the spirit.

He says:

“Let your feet
Lead you uphill”

I feel around
Until my toes
Notice a sharp slope

Slowly
I open my eyes
Focused only
On the ground
Right before me

I take one step.

Then another
And another

I see stone steps
Leading upward
So I follow them
With eyes downcast

After what seems
Far too long
The stairs end

A stone trail
Leads up
Across a grassy field
I follow it
Staring only at the next tile
Until it ends

I look up.

I see Jesus reflected
In the glasses (both kinds)
Of the people
Standing in a wide circle
Around me

Apparently
They were having a party
When I wandered in
Through a gap

They were looking
At an ice sculpture
In the center
Representing Jesus

Carrying a cross
Back bent
Head bowed
Staring at the ground
One step ahead of Him

I realize
In my weakness
I looked like Him
By accident

I realize
In my weakness
I looked like Him
By accident

I raise my hands
To apologize

And the crowd cheers!

To be continued

Reflection

I feel…

• Foolish
• Honored
• Mistaken
• Obedient
• Weary
• Encouraged
• Seen

Scripture

“And as for the outsiders who now follow me, working for me, loving my name, and wanting to be my servants— All who keep Sabbath and don’t defile it, holding fast to my covenant— I’ll bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. They’ll be welcome to worship the same as the ‘insiders,’ to bring burnt offerings and sacrifices to my altar.
Oh yes, my house of worship will be known as a house of prayer for all people.” The Decree of the Master, God himself, who gathers in the exiles of Israel: “I will gather others also, gather them in with those already gathered.”‭‭

Isaiah‬ ‭56‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭MSG‬‬