She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him,“Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). – excerpt from John 20:11-18**
You conquered the world’s limitation, and You called her by name.
She stumbled, unknowingly, to the rock which held resurrection’s imprint. She hadn’t received Your words of promise. She lived her years beside You, but didn’t understand You. She wept for a loss that was, instead, great gain.
Mary’s easter Sunday was still the dark, black night.
This is the flesh You came to save.
You didn’t chastise her lack of expectation or her mourning as unnecessary.
You called her by name.
She didn’t recognize Your stature, or even Your voice. But she knew You by the way You called her name.
Oh, God, so personal — Your victory didn’t preclude You from leaning in to the world’s weakest. You still called her name, with that lilt in Your voice which revealed You not to be stranger with inside information, but friend.
You still call my name with that lilt in Your voice which reveals You, to me, as friend.
I adore You, the One who won with love, for loving me by name.
You saved the world and not one of them escaped Your sight. This first Easter morn, Your reacquaintance with her, provides a lifetime of understanding, unfolding.
God most personal, God most powerful — You hold both.
You see me. You name me. You know that name.
You say that name in a way which only You can say it.
And when the world is trembling with great terror and strife or erupting with the glorious goodness of You coming forth, You still stop on the historic scene to say a name.
Rabboni, my great teacher. You are teaching me with Your love, bold to save humanity and quiet enough to whisper my name in a way that only I can recognize.
I adore You, Father who knows me.
Your resurrection … it’s personal.
Today for all mankind.
But still today for me.
Your eye, still on me.
**So …adoration — what do I do with these posts? you ask. First, if you haven’t yet, do read: Why I Adore, How to Really Fall in Love, and The Words to Use When You’re Not Ready to Talk to give you a context.
If you are compelled, don’t wait until you feel familiar and comfortable to start (ready, FIRE, aim). Set up a space and time in your own life to begin adoring. Over laundry or dinner dishes, on your commute to work, or in the wee morning hours — five or ten minutes is a great start. You can use the verses I list here with these Holy Week Adorations to start. Feel free to lurk or join the group of us over here, adoring daily.
Then practice praise — practicing telling your soul and telling God who He is. Even this small act of moving our mouths towards praise when we don’t feel it (especially when we don’t feel it), expands our insides.
I promise your weary soul won’t regret it.
First photo compliments of Mandie Joy. Second photo compliments of Cherish Andrea.
