The Performance of a Lifetime...

Last night my youngest daughter danced in her first ballet... Peter Pan. She is only 7 years old. So of course... she played a very small part in the production... BUT, can I just tell you that she was awesome. It lasted over two hours... and her part was in the last 10 minutes. I can't tell you that it was the most fun that I have ever had... but the moment my Anna danced onto that stage... MY heart was melting inside of me. I don't think you could have wiped the grin off of my face even if you had promised me a lifetime of free Starbucks lattas... my gaze would have never even budged off of her. I cannot even express the thrill in my heart... the joy in my heart... the pride in my heart, that those few minutes brought to me. I couldn't wait to get my hands on her after that performance. I could not wait to congratulate her on her excellent job. I could not wait to see her smiling face as I went backstage to pick her up. Unbelievable.

This morning after my quiet time, as I thought back over last night, I sensed God saying, " I know just how you feel, My Son did an excellent job."

I thought about the Words in Matthew 3:17, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased". God spoke that from the portals of heaven when Christ was baptized.

I thought about the time that satan tempted Christ in the desert... and Christ stood up to him with scripture.

I thought about the wedding and the lack of wine... and Christ performed His first miracle.

I thought about the storm that tossed the disciples' boat to and fro... and Jesus stepped out and calmed the storm.

I thought about all those hungry people on that hillside and the little boy sharing his lunch of fish and bread... and Christ fed 5000 people with it.

I thought about Mary and Martha crying by the grave of their brother Lazarus... and Christ calling out "Lazarus come out!" and him coming out alive.

I thought about Jesus standing before Pilate and saying, "You are right in saying that I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth." (John 18:37).

I thought about Christ hanging on that cross asking for forgiveness for the very people that were putting him to death. The very people that He came to save... but they didn't realize it.

AND then I thought of the three days that God waited before He finally called out to Christ and called Him out of the grave.

Wow! I cannot imagine the thrill in God's heart, the joy in His heart, and the pride in His heart, as He watched His Son live out the life that He had planned for Him. A life of obedience. A life of submission. A life that brought us redemption. A life that reconciled all things to Himself. The anticipation of being able to get his hands on Him after the completion of the plan.

But that's not it... I then sensed Him saying, "I feel the same way about you, Lynn". To think that God watches every move I make... every thought that I think, every word I speak... and how He must just about bust with joy when I live out my life in a way that looks just like His Son. When I live a life that shows the world who He is. When I lead a life that leads others to Him.

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19