Thursday, March 20, 2008

Semana Santa

This time last year I was finishing up my 3 months time of living in Guatemala. I was suppose to leave before Easter but once I realized the celebrations that were taking place I changed my ticket - and oh how thankful I was to be there during the entire Easter celebrations. I learned so much and was challenged a lot in my own faith.

The streets fill with "processions and alfombras", basically parades and elaborate handmade carpets of flowers, colored sawdust, fruit, etc . . . which are sacrifices to the Christ who is carried through the streets during Holy Week almost 24 hours every day until Good Friday. I felt like I was swept back into the past as the life-like drama was happening all around me.
It was an incredible experience that I'll never forget.

I'll also never forget how it felt to see the empty streets on Easter morning and the small, simple celebrations that were taking place. It was Resurrection morning and it seemed like they forgot about the best part.
The other day I heard someone say how happy they were to not have to be bothered with Easter this year. I was assuming that she meant that she didn't have to arrange an Easter Egg Hunt or some other type of event.
But her statement made me think, is Easter a bother?
What about the Ressurrection that we are celebrating, what if Jesus hadn't bothered with us? Do I act like it is a bother to celebrate my Jesus and His incredible sacrifice, suffering, and resurrection that gives me eternal life?
Do I give Jesus only part of the credit He deserves, but not bother to give Him all the glory and honor?

Thankfully God did bother to send Jesus in our place!
Thankfully God's love is unconditional, no matter how underserving I am of receiving it!
Thankfully I can put all my hope in the only One who can give me hope and know that I am never a bother to Him!!!
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