I had two contradictory encounters at yesterday’s PAWS for Men Encountering Jesus.
Painfully Happy
During Immanuel Encounter,
I saw Jesus on a cliff overlooking the sea.
His arms were outstretched.
He had a huge grin.
He said, “Come fly with me!”
He had a huge grin on His face.
I heard the words “So Happy” over and over.
And I started sobbing great gut-wrenching sobs.
[on reflection: perhaps “un-wrenching”, like resetting a dislocated shoulder]
Joyfully Broken
The second was when Paul M. prayed for me.
I was describing unforgiveness as a barrier.
When you sin against me, you reveal that you and the world are broken.
Unforgiveness is my refusal to internalize that brokenness.
I saw Jesus sucking out my brokenness.
Leaving wholeness in its place.
Except where my brokenness was holding to that barrier.
Forgiveness is realizing I need to release that barrier.
So Jesus can suck out all my brokenness.
And yours through me.
#EmbraceTheSuck
I saw Him absorbing all that sin and shame on the cross.
And I just started laughing and laughing…