Posts Tagged: the resurrection and joyous discipleship

“Frolicking with Jesus”

On June 18, 2020 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

“But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.” (Malachi 4:2)

When I was growing up on the farm, we used to keep the cattle in the barn during the winter. Sometimes, cows would “throw” (i.e., give birth to) their calves in early March, and Dad and I would try to get the cow and her calf into the barn, in order to keep them out of nasty, cold weather.

But then, when the weather had turned nice and the pasture grass had grown a bit, we would let the calves out of the barn. My dad told me to hide behind the door when I opened it out. “They’ll be frisky and may kick up their heels,” he said to me.

And kick they did? At least one time, one of them kicked the door, and I was very glad that I had obeyed my dad’s order. The big barn door didn’t shatter, but it did shudder. My dad and I laughed at the cows’ antics. They were so glad to be out. And I was glad to not have to feed and water them in the barn.

In response to a recent 12-step daily report and affirmation my sponsor gave me a wonderful piece of counsel. “Frolic with His Son Jesus.”

Now, I am not suggesting (nor was my sponsor suggesting) that following Jesus is simply a matter of frolicking all the time. No indeed! Discipleship can be—and is at times—very hard indeed. No faith which has a cross at its center can worship unmitigated pleasure.

However, no faith that has an empty tomb at its center can be unrelentingly stern either. The resurrection gives believers the last long laugh at sorrow and fear. In the light of Easter morning, we can frolic as well. We’ve been turned out of barn! We have room! The grass is green!

Hide behind the door; I’m going to kick up my heels!

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