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Prism Women | Guest Post :: Meeting Jesus by Mary DeMuth
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Guest Post :: Meeting Jesus by Mary DeMuth

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Mary DeMuth

Editor’s Note: Prism Women is honored to be hosting prolific author Mary DeMuth on this week’s post. Mary’s newest book The Day I Met Jesus, co-authored with Frank Viola, chronicles the women who encountered Christ and were irrevocably changed by him. May Mary’s words and prayer stay with you as you venture out into the great wonder and seek to encounter him in the pursuit. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I co-wrote The Day I Met Jesus, I had no idea just how much I would relate to these women. They are not characters in a story; they are living, breathing, broken people who had hundreds of rough days. They faced accusation, incurable illness (are you there?), judgment, homelessness, isolation, depression, betrayal, sexual sin, hopelessness, and the fury of others.

 

And then they met Jesus.

 

I’m not going to say everything was daisies and ponies after that. I’m sure they continued this battle called life (just like you, me). They faced rough days like we do, but with one sacred difference: they walked forward with the presence of Jesus.

 

I’ll be honest. I’ve been detaching from Jesus lately. He hasn’t “come through” in the way I’d like him to. I hate to admit this. Hate to say that I’m disappointed with God’s ways. But there you have it. This has made for far too many sad days accompanied by a feeling of abandonment. I know this, though. I don’t want to stay in that place.

 

This Easter reminded me of the crazy, unexpected resurrection, the paradox of life from death, flowers from seed, hope from despair. I want to walk hand in hand with the resurrected One, truly living, breathing and believing this verse:

 

"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." -Psalm 23:17

 

I return to this truth of God’s goodness when I hear stories—like yours, like the people of the New Testament, like my own.

 

It’s my prayer that this book would change you as it has continued to change me. Yes, you will have rough days. You will suffer hardship. You will be bewildered. Maybe like me, you’ll face disappointment with God.

 

And yet.

 

And yet.

 

Jesus intersects. He reminds us of what He has done. He wants us to let Him be truly unique in our lives today. He doesn’t want us to wallow in the pain so we forget about our purpose to proclaim Him before the entire world.

 

This life is short. So so short. Let’s take a moment to reflect on that. Your current battles and difficulties, though they feel dark and foreboding, are a blip. Your obedience (even when you don’t feel like it) is an eternal, fixed act. Choosing to take the next step even if you feel abandoned by God, is a holy practice.

 

I’m sorry if you’ve felt discouraged today, if you’ve battled far too many rough days. Truly, I am.

 

Mind if I pray for you?

 

Jesus, be with my friend who is discouraged. Maybe even wondering where in the world are You…Intersect. Intervene. Intercede. Be near. We give You permission to be unique today in my friend’s life right now. Remind us of the past and the great things You have done. Help us not get so discouraged by life that we forget our purpose: to proclaim you. Lift us from the miry clay today and set our feet upon the rock. We need you. Amen.

 

Find out more:

 

TheDayIMetJesus

2 Comments

  • Jenna Carlson

    15.07.2015 at 17:15 Reply

    I appreciate your honesty in feeling conflicted with God’s ways. I feel that way too sometimes. It’s good to acknowledge this and better to know God can give you unspeakable joy in the midst of hard times. Thank you for your encouragement!

  • Nicole Cottrell

    15.07.2015 at 20:55 Reply

    Mary, thank you for your words of hope and this necessary reminder. I’ve been in such a place of disappointment regarding the Lord–and reading your words, I caught myself sighing and saying out loud “Oh, it’s not just me.”

    What grace and perseverance we find in sharing our stories, knowing that we all need to meet Jesus. Every single one.

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