Friday, April 10, 2009 | By: Jenna

Different Than Normal


Ok--two blogs in one afternoon. But this one needs writing, and the one below this is kinda boring. So here's numero dos:

It's Good Friday... the sky is orange right now. Incredible. I wonder if God does that kind of thing on purpose sometimes... to remind us that there days in history that are important, days in history that are really important, and then days in history that are so important even the skies still feel it. Those are the days in history that change everything about history. Good Friday was one of those days.

The orange sky isn't necessary... I remember that the ground shook when Jesus died on the cross...that the curtain in the temple ripped down the middle from top to bottom...that dead holy people were raised and started walking around the holy city...that God felt it when Jesus asked why he had been forsaken.

The orange sky does remind me, though, that Good Friday is more real than a story I just remember every year. And it changes my reality still today. If Christ's death on the cross was meant to have lasting impressions into the very life I live now, then God knows I need to be reminded of that.

It's not that the sky is blood red--it's not rumbling without a cause. It's not that orange is even significant of anything... theological... or... well, anything. It's just that it's different than normal. And I think maybe that's why I noticed God's sky today... because it reminds me that Good Friday has made it possible for me to be different than normal.

We all know our sins put Jesus on the cross just as much as the Roman Soldier who later realized, "Surely he was the Son of God!" And most of us would probably say that our sins continue to do so every year... But I'd venture to say that the Roman Soldier was never the same after realizing what he witnessed. He probably wasn't perfect but...different than normal.

I want to be like the orange sky. I want Christ's crucifixion to change my coloring. I want His sacrifice to really affect me even today... and I want God to maybe feel good when I realize that He, now, doesn't have to forsake me. I'm not His Son...
but I get to be His daughter... and that does make a difference.


God, you've given me eyes to see the possibilities; please grant me the courage to be different than normal. Amen.

7 comments:

Aubrey Raper said...

wow. Jenna...you are truly, truly gifted. Jesus speaks through you so fluidly...

I want to be different than normal, too.

Andrew Ratiani said...

okay. A. other blog being sill, lies. it was awesome, but i am glad i read it first cause this one was better. sometimes i wish i could see your thoughts written out on paper. like all of them. so i could understand. the rest of the time i wish i could jsut hear them as you think them. thats what super power i would choose. to think like jenna barney. and maybe sing kind of like you too, but in a guy's voice, for obvious reasons. okay, this comment is long. let me explain. no, too long. let me sum up. you are amazing and God is doing amazing things in and through you. to be able to call you friend is an honor and to read about the ways God speaks to you is an inspiration. thank you.

Andrew Ratiani said...

dang. i started tha one with A. but forgot to write a B.
so: B. you+singing desert song=yes please.

Danae said...

LOVE it. I love your line, "even the skies still feel it..." COME ON. ohhh I have been inspired by you!!! thank you for feeling this, thinking this, allowing God's words to pour through your fingers. :) mmm.

Danae said...

annnnd I second Andrew's 2nd comment. :) thanks.

James Spencer said...

Jenna I love reading about the things God shows you. You are amazing and I, like Andrew R., am blessed and honored to call you friend.

Christian said...

good word Jenna....

"different..." love it.