What Would You Fight For? by Ruth Mercy: You Matter!

Happy Easter guys!

I know we are all afraid during this time. So much has changed and so much is unknown. So much death around us and so much bad news every time we turn the tv on. So much sadness and pain. But long ago a man walked this same earth, in our same body and beat death for all of us. Jesus is alive right now my dear friend. He is near to you. He hears you. You are not alone. This is the good news. We have today. This Easter push past everything that would hold you back, and focus on the Risen Jesus!

My rabbit Gracie:). besides being a member of our family, she is the star in a magic act my sisters and I perform.

I normally find it kind of funny when people go crazy taking pictures of their pets, but hey this is the first time I had fun taking pictures of my rabbit, plus been locked in with quarantine and my brother is a professional photographer so we did a Gracie photo shoot so maybe he could sell some of the pictures for easter:). Well, they are free for you, so enjoy and maybe she will make you smile a little bit like she does me:) (There's more at the bottom:))

I know its tough being locked in guys, and having our lives stopped in a way. But I challenge you to seize this time to go deep, to become big to learn more and love greater. Seek out the Father and the Risen Son Jesus. Talk to Him with words from your own heart. Cherish time you have with your family. Be creative. Have a talent show night, a comedy night or a game of hide and seek through the house. Start a story chain, cook a meal together or make a memory so special that it will never leave you. Even if you are staying in with all adults, be kids for a day. Life is precious and moments go so fast. Lets not just float through time, but rather steal the time and win the day.

If you want to now know how much you matter, imagine Jesus, walking up the hill to the cross where he would die the most horrendous death imaginable ....for you. He saw your face. He did that then, so that here and now, you could have the answer to every issue you face. As Jesus bore the agony of the cross, it was as if the very heavens were shouting the words, "You Matter!" He overcame death. He conquered the world. So he can say, "Let not your heart be troubled...Believe in God, believe also in Me.."Jn.14:1"In the world you will have trouble...but take heart, I have overcome the world.." Jn.16

Jesus, who had been dead for three days, took a breath and walked out of the grave. I mean He was completely dead to the point He had NO blood in His body. Then one day, He sat up, gasped for air, stood up, folded up the cloth that was covering Him and walked out of the cold tomb. New blood flowing through His body. Does He matter to you? I mean what in the world is more important than coming to know this guy?!

I painted this just pondering the work that my Master did for me.

One of the first thoughts Jesus had, after rising from the dead, was to get to his brothers to explain exactly how He actually rose from the dead. Imagine. I sure would have loved to be there. He wanted to see their faces as He blew their minds (Mt.28:10). He said I must go to My Father, and your Father… (Jn.20:17)” Thus calling us brothers. This was, and is, the goal of the living Jesus, to explain to us the power of His resurrection. It is LIFE beyond your life. As the most humble brother, Jesus lacks any imposing ego or intimidation. He is the ultimate Sympathizer. He is willing to be just a brother to get down and dirty with us in the trenches of human warfare. There’s not a lot of people who can offer forgiveness and resurrection life, at any moment, in any place. Someone so Big He is willing to come to someone so small like me. Come to think of it, He’s the only One. So He is THE BROTHER.

"He is not here".... The angels said to the women at the tomb, "Jesus is not here". Don't look for the risen Jesus in the wrong place. He does not live inside a building. He is not found by trying to be a good person nor through the law. He is not found through endless knowledge or words. He is alive. He is found by those who seek Him with the faith of a child. Mt.11:24

He welcomes us into a family where His brotherhood replaces our alienation and deprivation.” (Hebrews 2:9-18,12:1/Rm.8:29). In other words, Jesus yearns to meet us in the moments of our frailty because He sees how the Father Himself is willing to recognize us as a fellow brother. The term a brother, connotes someone who understands the common and ordinary struggles of life. It is as of a family member who has a lock-down, side-by-side, loyalty of help, in the worst of situations. A brother shares with you in things that mom and dad, a wife, or a stranger, would never understand, or that you would not want them to know. So He is faithful to harbor your deepest secrets and mediate and resolve all issues.

The ways of God require a broken disposition; “I know nothing”. Sometimes today you’d think that the center of the gospel is a church, a sinner’s prayer or a preacher. People wear a cross. It is seen on tops of buildings and worn as jewelry. But the beautiful reality of the cross is the everlasting covenant of the New Testament. Death to self is not the end, but the beginning of resurrection life. It is the essence of salvation. True faith is not an addition to your life, but becomes your life. Jesus died so we would no longer live for ourselves, but for Him 2 Cor.5:15

Jesus said the three most powerful words in history, "I. WAS. DEAD." No one else could speak in the past tense about death Rev.1:18. He did. He killed death, so surely His life can conquer anything we face. He proved that you matter and that He did everything possible to save us. Now it is up to prove that what He did matters to us. To give Him our life, to forget about ourselves and serve others and love Him in such a way that our life shouts back to the heavens... "Jesus, you Matter"!

Alright, by for now my dear friends. Be courageous. Praying for you all.

-Ruth

(More crazy cuteness below;))