From the Archives: The Epiphany

Originally Posted on July 15 2006:


I can't believe what just happened. I just had an epiphany that could be one of the most important of my life. I was reading Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, and I read this sentence: "The human struggle bothered Rick, as if something was broken in the world and we were supposed to hold our palms against the wound."

I think a lot about Jesus and what it is to believe in him. Sometimes I don't think I do because I feel my actions don't reach the height of my beliefs. I mean, I hear stories about missionaries and activists and just about guys who go feed the homeless. Actually, one of the guys I worked with left to move to Florida and feed hungry kids. I've never done anything on that scale. Sometimes I think I should but I never end up having or making an opportunity. So I'm left wondering if my passionate beliefs are all just hot air.

I look around this world and all I see are hurting people. I even see one when I look in a mirror and I'm left with the unsettling feeling that we are all broken. I want to do these things to stop the bleeding. I think that every true Christian wants to do this. Sometimes, however, we miss the message.

Did you ever see the movie "Passion of the Christ," that excessively gory depiction that Mel Gibson did of the execution? Was there ever a moment when you wanted to jump into the screen, pull him off that cross and try and seal his wounds? This is where it is for me. So many times I've heard the story of his crucifixion and every time I wanted it to stop. That's the point though, I think. He went through that for us all. His body was broken so that we wouldn't have to be.

That is where our energy needs to shift focus. How much energy have you wanted to use to stop his torture? What ever it was don't cover it up. Don't stay busy so you don't think of it. This world is broken just like His body was and we should want to "hold our palms against [their] wounds" as much as his.

May we see that healing the world is healing Him. May we see that stopping one soul from bleeding is the same as stopping one hole in his hand. May we focus our passion for Him on all those he died for, letting them know why we are doing it all along the way.