Thursday, March 7

"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.” (Luke 21: 12-14)

I'm in love with Jesus. Some have all but told me I'm a fool who believes in a book of fairy tales. Others suggest He was a good man, a prophet, whose example I should follow and not get hung up on doctrine.

I entered seminary to try and find words to express the Jesus I know, the God who is always with me, who has carried me in His arms a thousand times when there was no one else.

I stand at the ocean and sing, "Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature" and He answers that the same love that created those deep blue waves surging under a starlit sky created me.

I want so badly to defend my Jesus, especially to religious intellectuals. In my studies I learned that Jesus is taught from texts written by atheists. How could I witness against these brilliant theologians; how could I make a case they'd understand?

I can't because faith comes from soul, not head. I can only answer that I've staked everything on this lover of mine, that I know He loves us all with the energy of those waves and the heat of the sun.

The words to express Jesus began to flow when I finally let go religion, books, and teachings that had become idols. I looked full on His wonderful face and He healed my worry how to defend myself. Love has nothing to defend.

Sharon Keene