Okay... enough with my wordy intro paragraph.. let's move on to what I wanted to say when I decided to write this blog entry.
Leviticus. I am in the first few chapters, reading God's instructions to His people through Moses regarding what kind of sacrifices to offer for different varieties of sin. What is acceptable, what is not... the manner in which each animal sacrifice is to be killed, how it is to be dismembered and what, very specifically, is to be done with each of its body parts and internal organs, including its fat and the contents of its intestinal tract (referred to, in the New Living Translation of the Bible, as "dung").
My stomach clenches when I read all this. I don't like to read about the killing, dismembering and cooking/burning of these poor animals, none with any defects (like that makes a difference to my emotional response to these sacrificing procedures)... aaahhhhrrrrgh.........
Yesterday, I believe, I thanked God that we don't have to do that anymore. My statement was one of sincere gratitude.
Jesus served as the ultimate and final sacrifice for ALL sins. So no longer must we keep a count of which sins we have committed and how many of each... no longer must we remember what sacrifices cover which sins... no, no more. Jesus died on the cross, shedding the ultimate sacrifice of blood and life, which paid the ultimate price for any and all sins we imperfect humans commit for all the rest of our time on earth.
That kind of feels like I'm regurgitating a bunch of church-speak... true, that is a summary of what I learned in my church for years and years. I do believe that is true, and that truth is rooted deep down in me, pretty much permanently. Like there are things you can't "un-see," there are also things you can't "un-learn." Honestly, I'm grateful to have this truth so deeply embedded into the fiber of who I am.
Thank You, Lord, for the finely-skilled and well-educated pastor under whom I grew up spiritually for many years. I am grateful for the things I learned through him and for the techniques he used to teach his congregation so that the covered principles STUCK with us... at least with me... anyway, thank You.
All I have to say for now. Be blessed on this beautiful Sunday morning! I am sitting outside, enjoying the calm air, the chirping of so many different birds, the green landscape, and the company of my ever-present, amazing dog Luna.
This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
You do the same. Have a great one. Let's all turn over some new stones today, wherever we end up walking, just to see what is underneath.
Adios, mis amigos!!
Nicole
