Life After Easter

What goes on the day after Easter? A. Your dog finds the leftover Easter Eggs behind a bush and partakes. B. You spend time cleaning up all the cascarones spread through your house. C. You eat the remaining jellybeans that are your favorite color and leave the rest for others. D. You consider all that took place on Easter and allow the resurrection to change you. 

How can Jesus’ resurrection change us? Today is not a day to “get back to normal”. Easter is a new beginning! Jesus’ death on the cross, the empty grave, and the resurrected Jesus give us hope. Jesus' resurrection gave the disciples hope! Take a look at John 20:19-20:

“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.”

It was the first day of the week, and the disciples locked themselves away from people. Could we possibly have known the pain in their hearts? How would they pick up the pieces and go on after their beloved Jesus was gone? Life seemed to stop. Even what Jesus had taught them seemed like a distant memory.

We see in the text of John 20:19-20 that the doors were locked. This gives the idea that they were not only shut but also secured and locked against unwelcome visitors. All at once, Jesus came and stood in their midst.  We don’t know how Jesus got into the room, but I doubt it was in a normal way. 

Just to be honest, any of us, if we were sitting in that room, would have flipped out. This strange experience would suggest that resurrected bodies were not subject to the same limitations as our present bodies. Just think…. Jesus could have gone anywhere. He could have done anything. But He sought out His people and He brought a word of peace to them. The words ‘Peace to you’ are an assurance that there is no cause to fear, and that all is well, for they were alarmed by his manifestation. (Trench, Enduring Word)

The resurrected Jesus gives peace. Something happened in that room that night. The disciples saw the risen Lord. In time, the disciples became more and more confident of what they believed. Acts 4:13 says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

When Jesus came back to life, they came alive. They would not stop sharing about Jesus and what He had done. The resurrection changed the disciples. It can change us, too.  Could it be true that others recognize that we, too, have been with Jesus?

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Jesus' Surrender

Imagine knowing you had a week to live. How would you spend it? Jesus knew he had a week to live. He knew he was going to be betrayed by Judas. He even knew where He was going to be betrayed. How did Jesus live in these agonizing moments? Check out Luke 22:39-46.

“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt, and prayed. ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup form me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. ‘Why are you sleeping?’ he asked them, ‘Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.’”

One thing I notice that is significant in the passage is that Jesus knelt and prayed. The common form of Jewish people praying back then was standing with your eyes lifted to heaven and your arms outstretched. So, when Jesus knelt, he was pleading with God intensely. The various gospels tell us that He not only prayed once to the Father, but three times. (Matthew 26:39, 42) Jesus' mindset just before his crucifixion was a total submission to the will of the Father. He didn’t want the “cup,” which was Jesus’ suffering. He was expressing to God a natural human desire to avoid the pain and suffering that would come with being crucified. Remember, Jesus is fully God but also fully human. He felt the struggle. He knew what was awaiting Him.

Oh, that we would have that kind of persevering prayer. We see that He was in such deep sorrow that his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. That was a sign of extreme anguish. As much as He wanted out of the suffering, He wanted the Father’s will. He prays, “If it is possible.” Jesus would have preferred another way but was committed to the Father’s will. If you ever questioned that Jesus was fully man, this verse shows us clearly!

After he rose from prayer, he went to the disciples and lo and behold found them asleep! At Jesus' moment of deep pain, his disciples were asleep! I love that the disciples were with Jesus as they saw Jesus model the importance of prayer and surrendering one’s will to God. But they failed to stay awake and watch with Jesus. Luke speaks to the sorrow they had. The grief that they felt at the sight of their Master’s distress overwhelmed them to the point of sleep. Jesus woke them and encouraged them to pray so they wouldn’t fall into temptation. In Jesus’ sorrowful moment, He was thinking of them and their good instead of how sad it felt that they failed to support Him.

This week is Holy Week, when we consider what it must have been like for Jesus to walk to the cross on our behalf. Can we follow in Jesus’ steps? “Father…I want your will, not mine.” When we do, we can be sure that our God hears us.

“Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we don’t have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us draw near then with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Got Questions?

I think our questions can keep us from God. I don’t have any statistical proof on this. Yet, when people share their reasons for keeping God at a distance, I sense they’ve had a bad experience that turned them away from God. Sometimes, it’s what they experienced in a church or with other Christians. Others can’t reconcile how bad things can happen to good people. Still, others aren’t even sure that God exists. Others just live with doubts, too paralyzed to seek answers to their questions.

I’ve had my share of questions for God, too. I had questions about being single for so long. I longed for kids, but God said, “No.”  Why? I’ve questioned God about how Christians could be so mean and abusive. I’ve even asked God more recently how could He allow one bad thing after another.

Despite my questions, I truly believe we should take note of our questions and seek God for answers. I often think we want God to explain Himself to us like He is a human being. We want to see Him on our level. The reality is that He is not on our level. He is God. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” I’m so glad that God is God, and we are not! His ways are perfect, and that means He never makes mistakes.

So why would a loving God allow bad things to happen? I honestly have asked Him the same thing. You and I may never know the answer to that question. The Book of Job deals with this issue. Job was a righteous man (Job 1:1), yet he suffered in so many ways that it was hard to fathom! God allowed Satan to do everything he wanted to except kill him. Job’s response is found in Job 13:15: “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” Job 1:21: “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away, may the name of the LORD be praised.” Job didn’t get all that was happening nor understand why God had allowed these things. But Job did know that God was good, and he would continue to trust in him. God uses the bad things in our lives for the ultimate good.

Why do Christians act as they do? Christians certainly aren’t perfect and sin like everyone else. But God calls Christians to be different. Sadly, I think many have distanced themselves from God because of how Christians have treated them. The behavior of some who call themselves Christians can be quite awful. There will always be Christians not acting like Christians. But God doesn’t want His children to conform to other Christians. He calls us to conform to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29) He is patient as we grow in our relationship with Him. He longs for us to be patient with others and forgive each other as we grow in Christ.

Got questions? Well, why not pursue answers to your questions?

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers- most of which are never even seen- don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, not to be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know about God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” Matthew 6:30-33 The Message

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Gift of Thirst

When you have multiple broken bones, it doesn’t take long to learn that you’re somewhat limited. Your mind says one thing, and the body says another:  Oh, I have time to bake some sourdough bread. Nope, I can’t do that. Maybe I could go to the barn and catch a quick ride on Daisy. No, that’s not an option. Well, it’s spring cleaning time, and I could do a massive reorg. Highly unlikely without help. I think I’ll blow dry my hair for going out tonight. Nope, can’t do that.  The things I long to do, I can’t.

Where does my striving come from? Why is it so hard to rest and be still? In my forced rest, the Lord is reminding me of his steadfast love. Consider this beautiful portion of Psalm 63:1-3:

“O God, you are my God: earnestly I seek you.
My soul thirsts for you.
My flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So, I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
Beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
My lips will praise you.
So, I will bless you as long as I live.
In your name I will lift up my hands.”

David is in a desolate, hot place as he writes this Psalm. He is probably fleeing from Saul. I think most of us couldn’t possibly comprehend his situation, but suffice it to say, it was incredibly tough. But notice this. It’s when David was in this difficult position, it drove him to a deep yearning for God. He longed for His presence and provision.

Perhaps God allows our thirst to draw us to Him. When we’re in a difficult position and can’t turn to the things we THINK should satisfy, God shows us what truly does satisfy.

This has me thinking about the gift of thirst. David had that longing. He compared his strong desire to seek God to thirsting for water in a desert. Why was David so motivated to pursue God? It's because the loving-kindness of God was better than life itself.

The Lord has stopped me in my tracks. I want the gift of thirst. I pray that through this difficult season, God will renew and intensify my thirst for Him. I want my ultimate satisfaction in nothing else but Him. May we seek God with the same intense thirst David had.

Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BhTAJ49MQ0

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

God is With Us

 I’m embarrassed I don’t have a better story for a freak accident. I’ve never fallen off my horse. I’ve not been in a serious car accident. No, I just tripped. That’s it. We had just returned from Rodeo Houston and were heading to another horse show in Dripping Springs. I was rolling my large tack box toward the barn and my long spurs got caught in the box all at once. Down I went.

The injury report includes a left wrist hairline fracture, a left elbow break, and a right elbow break. Things have gotten complicated for this left-handed,  can’t-sit-still, never-a-dull-moment gal. Consider not being able to do normal things like putting a scrunchie in your hair or earrings on your ears or carrying a ½ gallon of milk. Life can change so quickly.

I typically write these blogs for the purpose of sharing how God shows up in everyday life. With this difficulty, I’d rather hide and not share. But I can’t. God shows up in this as well and I want to lean into Him to walk through it.

One of my goals is “To be a peaceful and loving presence where I live, work, and play.” I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I can’t be a peaceful and loving presence without the nearness of God. I find this verse exactly what I need. Maybe it hits you as well:

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you, when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’” Isaiah 43:2-3

In this verse, we see the reason why God’s children do not need to fear. No matter what situation or circumstance comes our way, we will not be overcome by them. Why? Because God is with us!  Every situation, every fear, every frightening bit of news, every hardship you have, EVERYTHING. He is a God who will strengthen, help, and uphold us. He is personal and attends to the concerns of our hearts. For example, God knows exactly what concerns me in this crisis. He knows my desire to get back on my horse. He knows my love for cooking and tending to our home. He knows how this lefty loves to journal and write out my prayers. He knows my sadness that I can’t do these things.

Can we ask God to carry us through our difficulties with a peaceful, joyful spirit? Yes, indeed, and that is my goal! He has created us and redeemed us. God has given us a new name “mine.” That’s our personal God. The God of the universe has called your name. You and I belong to Him.  

Trials are not evidence that God is against you and me. They instead, are a reminder that even in the hardest of times, God will never us and is walking with us each moment. I’m gonna hold tight to Him and learn all I can.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Reach Out and Touch

We took my horse to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this past week. It was pretty cool to show there! Since it was Spring Break, many people were strolling through the barn. Often, they stopped and asked about Daisy.

I will never forget one family. Daisy was standing in the aisle, and we were just getting ready to saddle her. We were busy getting her ready for a class, but I sensed this family was experiencing something special and needed time for them. They were excited about meeting Daisy but scared to touch her. I found out they were from Afghanistan and had never touched a horse. The woman wanted me to help her reach her hand and touch Daisy. The joy on her face when she did touch her! I’m not sure I’ll forget that moment.

Sometimes, touching something for the first time feels magical. I imagine when the women hemorrhaging most of her life touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, it was an amazing feeling. The story is told in Mark 5:21-34. It also appears in Matthew and Luke. A woman had been bleeding for 12 years, heard about Jesus, and believed that touching his robe would heal her. So, she came behind Jesus in a crowd and touched the fringe of his robe. Jesus immediately turned and said “Who touched me?” The woman was afraid, yet came forward and told Jesus it was her. Jesus said to her “Your faith has made you well.” The woman was healed immediately.

Jesus saw in this woman so much more than others saw. He saw her faith to reach out to Him even despite her unclean condition. It required strength and courage to reach out to Jesus. If someone recognized her as unclean, it would be all over! He knew the woman took a huge risk to get close enough to Him to experience healing. The woman was in a desperate situation. She must have been so lonely and tired of trying to find healing. She was determined to find healing. Jesus healed her and then called her daughter. She was no longer an outcast!

The woman was healed because of her faith. It was a risk. Sometimes, we need to trust enough and risk like the woman in the Bible. Take the risk. Reach out. Touch him. Trust Him.

Going back to the Afghan family. As a lover of horses, I hope this woman, after touching Daisy, might help her love horses, but all the animals she sees at the rodeo. Even more, I pray that each of us might reach out and touch Jesus. May we find the faith we need to reach out and touch the Lord so that we might find help where we need help and healing where we need healing. Jesus is willing.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Treasures in Heaven

In one week, I encountered not one, not two, but three angry drivers. As I reflected on each one, I had to make sure I wasn’t in the wrong. In all three scenarios, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. One person tried to run me off the road as I wasn’t fast enough for him. (Most people don’t use the words “not fast enough” to describe my driving.) Another person, because I honked at his bad behavior, decided to start to pass me and stay parallel with me. I just minded my own business and didn’t even look at him. Who wants someone’s finger to brighten their day?

As I reflected today about the near misses I encountered on the roads, I recognized how grateful I was that God protected me from an accident. I realized my need for peace when I reflected on the close calls. This verse in Luke 12:32-24 came to mind:

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near, and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be.”

There are so many times I need the calming voice of Jesus and His presence to walk me through a trying situation. Here in this verse, I see that this “little flock”, is God’s flock. What safer place can we be than near Jesus? He is our Good Shepherd.

Like this verse, I find that I can seek out the wrong treasure when I'm vulnerable. I may look to people for safety, approval, or stability. I may look to things to satisfy. I may try to replay something in my mind over and over to make it true. I may even scroll through social media to find something that resembles something to satisfy me. When I choose anyone or anything outside Jesus, it never goes well.

I’m so grateful to be a part of Jesus’ little flock. This image is of a flock of sheep small enough that the shepherd knows each one personally and intimately. He knows us by name and our personalities, idiosyncrasies, and what each person faces. He knows our hurts, pains, and fears. He knows what brings us joy! It is Jesus’ pleasure to take care of His flock. He finds great delight in watching over his flock. He is always present, loving each of us perfectly. Why wouldn’t we want to know Him?

Let’s seek the treasure that will never fail. Our Good Shepherd wants us to loosen our grip on the things of this world and seek His Kingdom. It’s hard to follow Jesus in a very broken world. Everything seems to be shaking around us. Life will not be easy. Jesus invites us to reduce the things we treasure in this world and focus instead on treasures from heaven.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.