The Biggest Step of All

The Biggest Step of All

I stepped out of darkness into
marvelous light
Drawn by the beckoning hand of the Master
His eyes of love.
The light was blinding, overwhelming
My eyes cast about
for a place
to stand.
I took a step toward religion—
It fit so well—
Sturdily wrapping my feet
In worn treads of tradition.
I practiced daily,
Walking around with others in the light
Believers who had been here longer than I.
Together we held hands
And learned to follow.
But then,
Over time,
My steps slowed…
And then ground to a halt.
Lined with certainty
My feet slid into the permafrost of
Rules & Regs.
Easy.
No thought.
Just keep my head bowed to the light
Hear the Word,
Stay steady on course—
Stuck.
But Jesus beckoned beyond.
His eyes of love challenging me to
Much more.
He asked with a mischievous grin,
“Do you want to fly?”
Afraid to stay. Afraid to go. I vacillated.
I took one step toward him.
The biggest step of all.
We stepped off into the great beyond
Where nothing is certain
And everything is possible.

Joy Eastridge
New Year’s Resolution 2018

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What Ifs of Christmas

What Ifs of Christmas

What if…
God sent Jesus to all the world?
What if…
He is more merciful than I am?
What if…
My God box is too small?
What if…
Jesus loves “the Other” like he loves me?
What if…
My Christ follower path is too prescribed and intolerant?
What if…
God laughs when I interpret Scripture to suit my exclusive Jesus club?
What if…
Jesus sees pride instead of love in me as I invite others to love him?
What if…
God’s plan is much bigger than anything I can imagine?
What if…
In his infinite compassion God sees the worst sinners—like me!—with eyes of love and encouragement, knowing all I can be and not just what I am.
What if…
This radical Jesus invites me to be a radical follower, someone who throws up my hands in wonder, praise, and adoration instead of clasping them together, controlling and certain, pious and hypocritical at my core.
What if…
In nature God reveals himself—the surround sound Being—who points us to the stars and dares us to believe in the Beyond?
What if…
This Christmas he is calling me to give all I am and all I have instead of hoarding wealth (in barns, storage units and banks).
What if…
Love eased into time at Christmas, let himself be held close in our arms, breathing the sweet breath of a baby, softly touching our hearts, then delivering the words that transform us and our world: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

May your Christmas be filled with Love.
Joy Eastridge, Christmas 2017