Maybe you can relate:  Time slips up on us far too easily.   Palm Sunday has been clearly marked on the calendar for months now.  Yet honestly, with all the pedal-to-the-medal rush of family activities and pressing items on the to-do (or gotta-do) list the last several weeks, we feel unprepared.  I feel not quite ready.   I feel and wish my heart were more prepared.   But why?   And what’s the root of those feelings?

Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday riding a donkey.  He approached his followers not in a position of power but of relative weakness.  Scripture rightly describes Him as the mighty Lion, yet Christ also came into Jerusalem as the meek Lamb.

“You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.”   2 Corinth. 8:9

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  …For when I am weak, then I am strong.”   2 Corinth. 12:9-10

Weakness is hard to embrace.  Yet it is a core element of the gospel – a central part of receiving Jesus.   Why so?   Because ultimately I want to be my own Savior – I deceive myself into seeing my sin as manageable – conquerable.   I don’t think I need a Savior.   I am strong enough.   I have it together enough.   I can pull myself up enough.   I’ve got this.   I can mentally focus, push back the whirlwind and at least outwardly become prepared for Jesus on Palm Sunday.   I want to prove myself to the Lion that I am worthy to stride into His Den.    ….But I am not.  No, I have zero power to tame my sin and conquer it.

But the wonder of the gospel is that when I am weak, He is strong.  My preparation is insufficient for Palm Sunday (or any day in His courts), but His grace is all sufficient.  Jesus poured Himself out in weakness and humility in order to give me His sufficiency.

Climbing Mt. Fully Funded

Our total need is still approximately $1,200 in new monthly commitments by April 30.   In human terms of power and weakness, we are weak to deliver on the great work needed to meet our goal by the 30th.   Our faith and prayer is for God to miraculously supply exceedingly abundantly by then.   But if the Lord doesn’t complete it by month’s end, we want to be OK with that.   If so we, in weakness, will totally lean and trust in a Strong Provider who may have a different timetable – a means of spiritual preparation for the time He chooses to complete it.

So, in terms of prayer requests, please pray that Jesus will provide the goal by April 30.   Also pray that His power will be made perfect in our weakness regardless of when the goal is met.

Enjoy Palm Sunday!   Delight in Your Strong Father cherishing you and meeting you exactly where you are in weakness.   Rest in Him.