Season 37, Episode 288: Resurrected Souls

Resurrection Sunday was this past week.

Hanging in the balance of life and death causes one to view this day a little differently.

Being in the work of recovery changes the weight of the sacrifice because the significance of selfless love has a new meaning.

For over 2 years now I have seen women show up at the front door a shell of a person.

I've seen the weight of their pain, shame, and circumstances cloaked over shoulders unable to shrug them off.

I've stared at walls as high as skyscrapers wondering how my short legged self would even be able to reach the top brick to kick it down.

I've held space for fragile souls to begin to heal after never-ending trauma.

And as I'm standing during worship watching one of those mended souls sing from a place of transformation I was reminded of the unwavering grace that I get to stand in.

Listening to words echoed with so much power and grace that once held so much timidity and fear.

Watching hands being raised in total surrender that were once tightly closed fists.

Tears falling freely out of awe, reverence, and gratitude that were once refusing to drop out of anger and fear.

Hands clapping (even if off beat) celebrating the chains that have fallen away and the freedom that rivals no other type of freedom.

I watched women move towards the altar to continue surrendering portions of themselves that they no longer wish to kept buried deep down.

Seeing friends, roommates, and confidantes petition for the freedom of their community is humbling.

If there was a set of lyrics that resonated so deeply with my soul it was from the song "Ain't No Grave" by Bethel Music:

"Oh, love is a resurrection and love is a trumpet sound

Love is my weapon

I'm gonna take my giants down"

The Lord did not stop at resurrecting people when Jesus rose from the grave.

It was the hope that we needed and the promise secured that we could and would also experience the same.

His love has defeated every nasty insult hurled our way.

His love defeated every painful experience that we have survived.

His love defeated the need to prove ourselves worthy because He already decided that we were.

His love is the single most powerful thing that we can experience and this past Sunday I had the privilege of standing among mended and resurrected souls to celebrate our Savior.

And from one resurrected soul to another, its was a complete honor to celebrate the Love, Sacrifice, and Freedom our Savior freely gave to us.

Because I for one know, that my sins also held Him to that cross and His forgiveness has freed me in ways that I will never be able to put into words.

I pray that as each day, week, month, and year goes on that I remain curious, grateful, and standing in complete awe and wonder of all that My Savior has done for me.

Because this resurrected soul will never have enough words to express my gratitude at the overflow of undeserving love.