Rambling Thoughts For Holy Week

We are right in the middle of Holy week and I am not sure I would be me if I didn't again post this reflection. Maybe you've already read it and need a refresher, or maybe you're new. But either way, here it is, just some more rambling thoughts from Ole Ma...

So many verses this time of year, Easter and all. And growing up going to church faithfully and then into my adult life I've heard a lot of Easter sermons. Different views, different takes. Many different speakers sharing the word of God, following where led, shepherding their people. 

There's something though- a point of view, maybe it's called, that I have yet to have heard. I dunno why. Maybe it is my critter loving self that has it so poignant. Maybe it's because I'm just a weirdo and look at things different than most. At any rate... 

"Mark 11:2 ... saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden."

What about that donkey? And not just a donkey, a colt, a young "baby" donkey. And not just a young one, an unridden one! I don't know how many of you have been around donkeys, they aren't always the most agreeable animal. Think about that other name we call them! The kicker tho- it is "unridden". Have you seen an equine the first time someone tries to get on? Kicking, bucking, spinning. They don't just say "Oh hey, cool man, hop on my back". No. It's an all out rodeo. 

But here He is, our Lord, our Savior of all people on this dinky donkey. And not in some quite bucolic pasture. No! Riding right down through Jerusalem. People shouting, kids running around, Pharisees causing trouble, folks waving palm branches around, Roman soldiers marching about, people tossing their coats down. Total utter chaos a full on cacophony of chaos. And this sweet little donkey, just plodding along. It gives me a great visual. God just knew the right animal for the job. He foreknew. And that leads me to, I guess, my point of this whole reflection. 

How did this great, mellow, well behaved donkey just happen to be tied at the gate? It's not like you just go to the  Donkey Factory and order one. "Hi Sir! I'd like a well behaved, super chill, baby donkey please. And can you make sure he's never been ridden and doesn't mind crowds"... 

No! Long long before that pivotal moment, some farmer had to be thinking about breeding his donkey. The gestation on those things is around a year or so. My mind goes wandering. Wondering was it one of those "dang it, looks like ole Mabel got bred" or was it more of "I hope i can have her bred to the nice looking stud Bartholomew has over at his tent". 

Yes, this really is the stuff I think of, but so does our God!!! We don't always know why the donkey is pregnant. We don't always know why it's tied there at that moment. But God? He does. He had that all figured out and tidied up long before the disciples showed up to commandeer that little donkey. 

This gives me so much peace. All the chaos and calamity, all the worldly noise, all the loose ends and unknowns and yet God fore knows, already knows, exactly what we need. He's got things already working out before we even know we're going to need Him. 

What?!?!

How amazing is that?!?! He loves us enough to get just the right donkey, bred at just the right time, to deliver just the right baby, that no one has ridden and have it tied right at the gate. How incredibly awesome is that?  And yeah the entire Easter story is incredible, Jesus  loving us enough to become the last sacrifice, bringing us opportunity to be right back into divine alignment with our Maker. But sometimes I think we overlook the littler awesomeness. The donkeys. The times when He started way way back working things out, things we didn't even know we were going to need worked out. 

This has me eyeing everything differently. Everything. So many times I look back at circumstances that at the time seemed hard or dumb or a hassle but can see where God's hands were all over it. But hindsight and foresight are two different beings. I'd like to think this little jaunt my mind took me on will have me looking- actively seeking. Actively trusting in every moment, every situation. But oh, to have faith like that! 

We are told He knows the plans He has for us... Maybe it's time to start letting go of the why's and the what's and just say "okay, let's go get that donkey".  

Here I am Lord, send me. 

Just some random ramblings as we head through Holy Week …

Happy Easter Y'all! 

Be blessed!