Before Me, You

Before Me, You

A poem by Shadia Hrichi

 

Before I entered the womb you prepared for me,

            You knew me. 

 

.           Before I was born,

            .          You looked upon me.

 

.                     Before my first cry,

            .                   You whispered my name.

 

.                              Before I could walk,

            .                             You carried me.

 

.                                         Before I turned to you,

            .                                        You died for me.

 

.                             Before I carried my cross,

            .                            You walked to Calvary.

 

.                    Before I whispered your Name,

            .                 You cried out for me.

 

.         Before I looked up,

            .        You rose for me.

 

Before I knew you,

           You opened heaven to prepare a place for me.

 

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple [shielding the opening to the Most Holy Place] was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split…and when the soldiers guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed ’Truly this was the Son of God!’” Matthew 27:50-54

“No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3:13-15

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3

The biblical Easter message transformed world history and continues to transform hundreds of thousands of lives every day; don’t you owe it to yourself to explore the miracle of the resurrection? Don’t let another year pass you by; visit Got Questions or Who Is Jesus…Really? It will change your life!

Shadia Hrichi

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God Speaks to the Heart in October Baby

Has a movie ever affected you in ways you didn’t expect? I recently saw October Baby, inspired by a true story of an adopted child who, in searching for her birth mother, discovers she is an abortion survivor. The movie left a deep impression. When I was a young teen, my mother explained that abortion was discussed as an option when she and my father, unmarried and unprepared, discovered they were pregnant with me. Although it bothered me, I never understood its impact until I recently read that someone who “experienced not being wanted at conception or birth learns to doubt his basic self-worth and develops patterns of hiding his real self from others.” Although intellectually I knew that to be true, God was about to expose this pattern in me at a far deeper level.

The day after the movie, I attended a prayer retreat where participants were asked to find a private place and spend some time with God in silence. Complete silence. I hadn’t anticipated how difficult this would be. Usually when I spend time with God, I begin by praying.

My mind starting roaming the Bible, trying to find a place to silently rest in God’s presence. I tried to sit at Jesus’ feet (like Mary in Luke 10), I went to the cross, then to the tomb…no rest. I went to the Tent of Meeting (like Moses in Exodus 33), nothing. Finally, I imagined God’s Throne Room but couldn’t enter without wanting to say something, acknowledging His majesty. I re-entered again and again until finally, I imagined entering as a young girl, crawling up into His lap, where I finally found rest. But I was not prepared for what happened next.

I imagined God gently stroking my hair. His touch was tender and comforting but it reminded me of something else, something from my past. When I was 15, I became pregnant. Because I never felt like I had any other choice and my mother believed she was doing the right thing, we went to get an abortion (I never conceived since). After the abortion, something happened. I became  uncomfortable around displays of tenderness between mother and children, whether on TV or at the mall, it made no difference. Whenever my mother tried to stroke my hair, I became tense and distressed. Since I viewed my feelings as ugly and knew she wouldn’t understand (even I did not understand at the time), I tried to hide my feelings from her. Twenty-nine years later, as I lay curled up on the lap of my Heavenly Father, He prompted me to finally confront my feelings. After some resistance, at last I told Him how I felt: why should my mother, who took me to get an abortion, have the right to enjoy tenderness with her daughter when I’d never get that same chance? There, I said it.

Though I had found God’s forgiveness and healing through a post-abortion recovery group several years ago, and believe I will one day be re-united with my daughter in Heaven, I had no idea I was still hiding such ill feelings towards my mother. God can even use a movie to bring those feelings to the surface—to a place where only He could heal them. Mom, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry, and I forgive you.

October Baby is a beautiful story of loss and love, fear and forgiveness, hope and healing. Please don’t miss it; it’s playing in theaters this week only. You never know how God may use it to speak to your heart.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’” (Matthew 11:28-29)

Shadia Hrichi

Author of Nameless No More: A Journey of Healing After Abortion, Christian pro-life Speaker and founder of Beautiful Voice Ministries

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On Jesus God Sets His Seal

It’s always a thrill to come across something in a passage of Scripture for the first time. Despite how many times I’ve read, studied, or heard a sermon on John 6 concerning Jesus being the bread of life; imagine my surprise when something entirely new caught my eye. At the end of Jesus’ rebuke concerning the people’s self-serving interest in being given physical food and bread in contrast to Jesus’ teaching that He is the bread of life who has come to give eternal life, he inserts a seemingly obscure phrase, “for on Him [Jesus] God the Father has set his seal.”

Suddenly, I pictured a seal from Old Testament times. I understand that a seal represents ownership, but I saw something more. A seal could only be broken by one who had the proper authority. Seals were made to be broken. They either secured something from being tampered with (think the seal placed on Jesus’ tomb) or instructions from being initiated (think Revelation seal judgments) unless or until the one in authority comes to break the seal. Seals were meant to be broken. Jesus’ body, on which God the Father had set His seal, was broken – by God the Son’s own authority—for Jesus is God.  Jesus says, “I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.” (John 10:17-18, selected)

The seal had to be broken in order to release the power which was kept contained by the seal. That power is eternal life and victory over sin, and in order for it to be released, the seal –Jesus’ body, the bread of life—had to be broken.

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:51)

The Imperishable Gift

“Happy Singles Awareness Day!” Carol chimed, whisking past my office. I rolled my eyes; vowing never to forgive myself for starting that little Valentine’s Day tradition. It began about 4 years ago. While driving to work one Valentine’s morning, the newscaster sprang her greeting onto her bleary-eyed audience, “Happy Singles Awareness Day!”  I nearly spit out my coffee. I laughed so hard, I couldn’t wait to share it with all my single co-workers. Big mistake. The first time, the office was in hysterics and the morning was priceless. Four years later, not so much. The fact that the novelty has worn seems to have dawned on everyone except, that is, my friend Carol.

Even so, though it might sound strange to some, I actually like both Valentine’s Day and being single. Don’t get me wrong. I sincerely enjoy watching my married and romantically involved friends relish in the fragrant bouquets of flowers and roses their husbands, boyfriends, or hopefuls had delivered to the office that morning. And perhaps one day, it’ll be my turn. Still, whether married or single or somewhere in between, when gifts are received with a heart of gratitude, the day can be festive for everyone. And for some of us, that gift might simply be the gift of laughter. “For this is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) And all of us can be thankful for the side effects of Valentine’s Day: the office smells better and there is always enough chocolate to go around for everyone.

Still, the pleasures quickly fade. (Although some, like the worn out joke, fade more quickly than others.) Within a matter of days, the flowers begin to wilt and die until eventually, only thorns and a puddle of red petals remain. Though the gift was temporary, it was meant to serve as a reminder of the lasting love of the one who sent it.

Each year, as I survey the thorns and fallen petals, I’m reminded of another day and another gift. Jesus, driven by His great love for us, came to earth to give us Himself. Two thousand years ago, as He hung dying on the cross, a cruel crown of thorns led precious drops of blood to fall onto a thirsty, sin-cursed ground.

Yet remarkably, to God the Father, Christ’s sacrifice served as a pleasing aroma, “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2, selected) Why? Because, just as the sweet fragrance of roses reminds us of someone’s love for us, the sacrifice of Christ reminds us of God’s love for the whole world. Yet, unlike roses, which quickly fade and fall, never to return, Jesus’ gift, if received with a heart of gratitude, will last for eternity. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has caused us to be born again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade— kept in heaven for you…you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” (1 Peter 1:3-4, 23-25, selected)

This Valentine’s Day, as you survey the flowers and candy and plastic hearts, don’t forget to take a few moments to ponder the imperishable gift that was sent by the ultimate Lover of your soul. While flowers and chocolate are temporary, the gift of Jesus will last through all of eternity, forever reminding us of the infinite love of the Father who sent Him.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

Shadia Hrich

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Whose Side Are You On?

The excitement is in the air and the signs are everywhere: people sporting their favorite team’s jersey, heightened chatter on the news, at work, and at church, neighbors spying out the most coveted “man cave,” not to mention those dreadful lines at the supermarket as the supply of hot dogs, chips and dip vanish as if we’re preparing for an invasion.

Now, I must admit I’m not a sports fan. With the possible exception of Tim Tebow (thanks to all my FaceBook friends), I couldn’t guess what team—or even what sport—a famous player belongs to.

Still, the taste of imminent victory is contagious. Why? Because we were created for victory! Just as sports fans memorialize their team legends among the various Sports’ Halls of Fame, the Bible offers Christians the famous “Hall of Faith” in chapter eleven of the book of Hebrews: an extensive list of God’s people, both men and women “who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.” (vv. 33-34 ESV)

We were created for victory! As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, the smell of victory simply feeds on this God-given desire. Its power rests in the fact of the certainty of one thing: someone is going to win. During the months, weeks and hours leading up to the big game, fans of both teams are thoroughly convinced they are on the winning side. They bought the tee-shirt, found a friend with a big-screen TV, agreed that the loser pays for the pizza, all because they genuinely believe victory is imminent.

Yet, until that defining moment, no one knows for sure. Even when all appears lost, the fans of the trailing team never give up hope, praying for a miracle, often ‘til the very end. Victory: it’s what we were created for. Still, every year, many discover they put their faith in the wrong side.

One day each of us will face another defining moment, one concerning the most decisive battle of all—the battle for our eternal soul—and in that moment, the moment we enter eternity, we will discover whether or not we chose the winning side. Yet unlike the Super Bowl, we don’t know the day or the hour that moment will come. We have to choose now.

So which is the winning side? It’s what you see written on the banners waving among the fans at every football game as far back as anyone can remember, “John 3:16” which is God’s promise: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

And yet when we look back at Jesus’ final moments, all appeared lost as He hung dying on the cross; many of His fans deserted Him, gave up hope, never expecting a miracle. But that’s precisely what happened. Jesus was raised from the dead and in that moment, He defeated our final enemy, death itself: “The last enemy to be destroyed is death…Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15: 26, 54 ESV, selected)

Don’t wait until your defining moment to know the outcome of your eternity. You can choose today to embrace the winner; choose Jesus, choose victory. It’s what you were created for! “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 15:57 ESV).

Whose side are you on?

Shadia Hrich

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“But It’s My Right!”

“But it’s my right!” That’s how I’ve felt these past few days, fuming over a medical office that refuses to release my records to resolve an insurance claim even after receiving the proper signed release and payment for their trouble. Each time I get wound up about the issue, I come to God, confessing my anger and asking Him to resolve the insurance matter as well as the more important matter of my heart. Humbly, I surrender my rights (again) and remind myself that in the scheme of things, the issue is insignificant in light of all that’s troubling in the world.

Soon God helped me realize that it was not the outstanding insurance payment that bothered me but rather, at the heart of the matter, I was angry that my rights were being unjustly trampled. It’s my right to have those records released! Maybe so, but did Christ come to this earth and surrender His rights so that His children would continue to live in bondage…to quarreling, pride, hostility, worldliness, or countless other sins? May it never be!

Christ, the eternal God and King willingly came to earth, surrendering His rightful place on the Throne of Heaven, His right to be honored and worshiped, and His right to not be subject to the cruelty and hatred of the world He created. Why? To grant those who surrender to Him the right to a home in Heaven, to eternally live in the Presence of God our Father who loves and cherishes us, and to never again be subject to the cruelty and hatred of this world. And yet, while God’s children will spend eternity free from the sin, pain and horror of this world – freedom we do not deserve –He will spend eternity bearing the scars of a world that refused to know, honor, and worship Him – scars He did not deserve for, “He…emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant…[and] humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:4-8)

Perhaps this is why Jesus tells the crowds in Mark 8:34, “If any man would follow after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Living the Christian life is not easy. Daily (sometimes hourly!) I need to surrender to God my harmful attitudes, my sinful actions, my selfish plans, and even my legitimate rights. But the rewards far exceed that which we surrender for when we choose to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh, we gain “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Gal 5:20-22)

Instead of worshiped, Jesus was disgraced; instead of honor, Jesus was spat upon; instead of a throne, Jesus went to the Cross. If the Holy God of the universe was willing to deny Himself to make saints out of sinners, how much more should we, as sinners made saints, be willing to deny ourselves for a Holy God?

Lord, I want to be free of the sins that so easily entangle; praise you for your Word, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) Lord, I surrender my rights; I want to be free!

Shadia Hrichi

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The Christmas Story: Hot Air or Bright Lights?

I remember growing up in Las Vegas in the early 70s…it never snowed. Never! Except…that one Christmas morning I’ll never forget. My brother and I ran outside, giggling and laughing as we pummeled each other with snowballs. After our valiant battle, we gathered up all the snow we could find (including some we stole from the neighbors’ yard), and made our very first snowman, a perfect replica of Star Wars’ Gava the Hut.

Today, I live in sunny California. And here as well, it never snows. Instead, people resort to artificial means for adding some Christmas ambiance. Walking in my neighborhood each morning, I can’t help but snicker as I survey the carnage: Countless flattened santas, snowmen and reindeer litter the lawns of this otherwise peaceful neighborhood.  All puffed up with hot air yesterday but today, their substance escapes them, leaving in their wake nothing but withered vinyl puddles.

After witnessing this tragedy year after year, I notice there is always one Christmas scene that survives; the sturdy manger scene filled with a greater substance: light. It never falls, it never fades, and it never shrinks back, no matter how many times people try to poke holes in it.

This Christmas, take time to consider its meaning. Which have you embraced? Shopping and giving, visiting with family and friends, childhood memories of santas and reindeer, or a chance to “be nice” to our fellow man… these are all noble pursuits. But what if there is more? What if you’ve missed the greatest pursuit of all?

On the night Jesus was born, the sky lit up with a chorus of angels pronouncing the Messiah’s birth. And to whom did these angels bring this glorious message? The religious people? The powerful people? The popular people? No. They visited a group of smelly sheep herders working the night shift, regular “Joe’s,” representing the everyday people in the world God so desperately loves.

The Light of Heaven entered our world to bring you a gift: Himself. God initiated Christmas to be more than childhood dreams, it’s the reality of a heavenly Father’s passionate pursuit to rescue His beloved children. God is not looking for religious people, or impressed with power or fame; He’s looking for His lost children.

Don’t let the world’s “hot air” deceive you into thinking there is no God, we don’t need rescuing, or there is no Savior; instead, may God’s love draw you into the Light, scoop you in His arms, and whisper in your ear the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus, “God with us.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” which means, God with us. (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 7:14)

Shadia Hrichi

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