Rude Graffiti

So, I’m reading this morning in Mark 6.  I actually got a few verses into it, and then stopped to pray that God would speak to me today through what I read, and that He would give me something to really chew on.  So, I started over and stopped after verse 6.

 

First of all, I tend to stop for a moment whenever a new heading appears in my Bible.  In this case, the first 6 verses of chapter 6 of Mark are their own little section titled “A Prophet Without Honor”.  I’ve read over this so many times in the past, and yet the first part of verse 6 just flew off the page screaming at the top of it’s lungs! 

“And he (Jesus) was amazed at their lack of faith.”

 

Um…………………sobering thoughts began to haunt my mind.  Have I ever amazed Jesus with my lack of faith?  Have I ever left Him standing there, shaking his head, wondering when I will finally get it?  Honestly, I did not want to answer those questions.  I still don’t. 

 

Has Jesus ever been amazed at YOUR lack of faith?  I mean, dang it God!  Why did you have to come at me with that today? 

 

But then, even now, it’s as if I can almost feel his fingers, as He gently raises my chin so that my eyes meet his.  Immediately, I sense Him telling me over and over again, not with physical words, but almost telepathically reassuring me, “You are my joy.  You are my joy.  You are my joy.”

 

There’s a David Crowder Band song titled that very thing, “You Are My Joy”, and I’ve loved this song for many years.  I used to sing it at the top of my lungs to God, especially when I was feeling down in the dumps.  But, lately, I’ve enjoyed just listening to it, imagining that God was saying that very thing back to me. 

 

Have I ever amazed Christ at my lack of faith?  Maybe, probably, yes.  But, today, I feel encouraged to get up, dust myself off, and try again.  I find myself encouraged, emboldened, and desiring to try again at putting my complete and utter trust in the God who is all knowing, all loving, and fully capable of being everything I need Him to be.  I sense a loving Father whispering, yet yelling at the top of His lungs in His best David Crowder impersonation, “Thad, you are my joy, you are my joy, you are my joy!!!!!!!!”