Laying aside the weights which so easily entangles us - to run free the race God gave us

 I wrote this some years back, and only now posting this.   Yes, the remarks and the people that gave them are forgiven, but sometimes a reminder pops us and it still sting. Just a reminder to forgive again.   Whether the remarks were made intentionally or unintentionally, it does not matter.   And I am posting this... because maybe you received remarks that stung, about something that you believed were what you were supposed to do, and stopped doing it. Forgive and give it over to God. Leave it in His Hands, and do what He called you to do. 

Laying aside the weights which so easily entangles us - to run free the race God gave us

So there was me

living my life

Doing what is right

What God placed on my heart

perhaps it looked different that your job

Remarks and comments came my way

I would take the punch and brush it off

but in defense learned to hide

learned to accommodate your ignorance

started to bother what others would say

I knew in my heart I did what was right 

perhaps I have tripped up and messed up at times

fell down and bruised my knee

we all do...

but more comments came

that hurt

comments that humiliated me

and I learned to worry what others say

but carried on what i need to do

but had this heavy burden to bear

that was never meant to be carried

tears cried in secret that was never meant to be cried

We all have different roles to play

we all have different places to go

we all can only do so much, and not more

It came to a point where I was not in a good space

because this burden of caring what others thought of me

was just too much.

I had to ask myself

what happened to the girl that said

"I don't care what it takes, I don't care what they say"

Where is she? 

and I let go of the burden

I could not carry it anymore

and I let it go

and now I am free

free to serve where God placed me to serve

and not to worry about your comments

your rotten tomato thrown in my face

God will help you understand your place, and my place

and we should not compare each other's places

just serve your God

with the purpose He gave you

Riana Odendaal

October 2019

Oh taste and see that the LORD is good

 Oh taste and see that the LORD is good

A story within a story

Real people living in real time

Living Writing Pointing

Yet what they do and don't do

Point to something Bigger    Someone Bigger than them

Like the aroma of spices drifting through the passages of time

Tells you of a curry cooking in the kitchen

Moses and the prophets

Spoke about and pointed to

The Redeemer,  The Messiah to come

Garlic, Ginger, caraway, cumin, and cardamom

Hearty pieces of beef, paprika, and bay leaf

all blended in the curry stew

A lone piece of star anise

sharing about the Morning Star to arise

Later on David and friends too

Following the promptings of the Master Chef

Added their salt and pepper of poetic prophecy

Pointing to the One with compassion and mercy

The aromas fuse together and fill the globe

Make sure to eat This Meaty Curry

with some John 6 Bread and Matthew 26 Wine

It will sustain you for life- eternal

and invite others too for this meal

so all can share in the joy of His grace

Joy of sins forgiven

For ever we will sing His Prise

L'chaim! - To Life!

Riana Odendaal (June 2023)

To Him the prophets bear witness - Part 2

 To Him the prophets bear witness (Part 2)

 Acts 10: 43  " To Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name".

So in the previous blog we looked at some of the prophecies relating to His death.  But Jesus did not stay in the grave.... and this too was foretold. Here are some prophecies to look at  concerning his resurrection! 

Psalm 16                          Acts  2: 22- 41

Psalm 118:17-24            John 20 ; 1 Peter 1: 3-9; 20-21; 1 Peter 2:4- 7         

  

Hosea 13:14                  1 Corinthians 15

Isaiah 53:10                   Romans 6:9

John 2:19-22; Matthew 26:61;  Revelation 21: 22; Matthew 28:6;   Luke 24: 5-7

Sign of Jonah:  Jonah 1: 7;  Matthew 16: 4; 21; Matthew 28:6

The woman with the issue of blood

 The Woman with the issue of blood

The Woman with the issue of blood

Unclean  outcast  unknown

Pushes past society's pharisaic looks and rules

The holier than thou crowds

with their heads held up so proud

but their attitudes so cruel

Her only hope

The Divine Rabbi from Galilee

with healing in His wings

With hope she reaches to where healing can be found

and She is free   

 F   R  E  E

The Rabbi compassionately asks "Who touched me?"

"Daughter" 

She is now family, no longer outcast and unknown

"Your faith made you well"

"Who the Son sets free is free indeed"

Still centuries later

there are unknown men and women

with issues that can only be cured with Blood

Brokenness Hurt Pain Outcast Empty  Sin

sin and the consequences of sin

Reaching out in faith

For healing in their hearts and souls

They reach for the Hem dripping with Blood

The Blood of the Lamb

The Lamb who takes away the sin of the world

The Perfect Sacrifice made once for all time

They are made well

Sin forgiven

They are free

Consciences cleansed from trying to do 

dead works that won't forgive or heal

now free to Serve the Living God who gives life

Life eternal

Given the right to be called children of God

Son Daughter

We are all reaching out to the same Rabbi's hem 

Keep pointing others to this Divine Rabbi

with Healing in His wings

The Lamb of God who takes away sin

Simply put your faith and trust in Him

Ask Him for your healing

Forgiveness

Eternal Redemption

(Riana Odendaal - June 2023) 

(Picture credit: Pinterest)