It is finished!

This week, I've been basking in the warmer weather, sunshine, and waking to the birds cheerfully singing as the sun barely peeks above the Eastern horizon. I've taken deeper breaths to enjoy the fragrance of fresh hyacinth blossoms, and I've taken longer looks to soak in the greening of the grass, the budding of the trees, and the beautiful blooms of Spring.

Also, not surprisingly, my thoughts this week have turned to the holiday of holidays for Christians everywhere. Easter. With all these signs of new life tickling my senses and the calendar shouting at me that Easter is fast approaching, I can't help but ponder the gift of eternal life in Christ. I take Christ's death and resurrection too much for granted too much of the time, but these past few days have been a wonderful opportunity to quiet my heart and reflect on the great grace of God that has given me life abundant.

The playlist for my week has been uplifting worship and joyous praise. I have marveled this week with Leeland that "I don't feel my brokenness anymore...that I have been swept away by God's love." I have rejoiced with Sanctus Real that "I am forgiven...that I am a treasure in the arms of Christ." I have joyfully celebrated with Big Daddy Weave that "I'm not who I used to be...that, thank God, I am redeemed."

However, in the midst of all this celebration of what Christ's work on the cross has accomplished in restoring and transforming me, I must not allow the focus of my celebration to become self-centered...just about ME. Don't get me wrong. Celebrating our salvation is good. Salvation is a thing to certainly celebrate, but it should always lead us to glorify and worship God. After all, our salvation, our restoration, our redemption, our transformation, is all God's work from beginning to end. Even having the faith to believe and so receive this salvation is a gracious gift of God at work in our lives.

My husband and I have spent time in Psalms 22 this week, which is quoted by Jesus in the New Testament as he is dying upon the cross. Psalms 22 begins as the Psalmist's outcry for salvation to God, but then ends with the Psalmist calling upon the nations to worship before God and wraps up beautifully in verse 31 with these words: "they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it."

Christ's last words upon the cross were, "It is finished." He had finished this great work on earth of living a totally sinless (i.e. righteous) life and shedding his blood as the ultimate, perfect sacrifice in our place. Great day! By his righteousness we are healed. Mortal men could now, by Christ's blood and by God's grace, be justified. It is finished. He has done it.

My playlist for the week seems to culminate with these three songs:
The Victor (Steve Green)
Because of Your Love (Phil Wickham)
This is Amazing Grace (Phil Wickham)

Enjoy celebrating the Savior this weekend!