Monday, 25 October, 2004

This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Katie Kent.



"Can you imagine dying for your friends?

Can you imagine dying for your enemies?

Jesus lived it, and he did it,

Yes he did it just for me.



Can you imagine dying for the future?

Can you imagine dying for the past?

Jesus lived, and he did it,

Yes he did it just for me.



I can't imagine anyone who'd do what he has done.

But Jesus wasn't anyone,

He was God's only son.



Can you imagine dying for your Father?

Can you imagine dying for your faith?

Jesus lived it, and he did it,

Yes he did it just for me.



Yes he did it, for you and me.



Can you imagine?"



These are the lyrics to a song my mother wrote. (If you know her, encourage her to get it published please! I've been trying to get her to do it for years.) If you've been a member of our church for some time, chances are you've heard the children's choir sing this song a time or two. She wrote it specifically for the season of Lent because the world of sacred music for children seems lacking in material that actually deals with Jesus' death before the celebration of Easter. I wanted to share it because the words may be simple, but the message is powerful.



When was the last time you used your imagination? Use your imagination to put yourself in the place of Jesus. How does it make you feel? How does it impact your faith?



Connection: Have you ever tried to talk to a good friend and they tell you "I understand", but you know they really don't? They love you, and so they try to sympathize with your situation. They may imagine what it would be like for them in that same situation. Sometimes we may think that God does the same thing. We may tell ourselves that talking to Him is pointless. How could He possibly KNOW how we're feeling? God is a deity; a supernatural, omnipotent, intangible entity. He could only imagine what we're going through… right?



That's where Jesus comes in. God doesn't have to imagine anything about us. He knows exactly how we feel because He was human. He knows what it feels like to have sorrow, joy, jealousy, and I bet he even knows what it feels like to be tickled.



Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your son Jesus. Help us to deepen our understanding of Your Word by using our imaginations. Amen