By Abby Kaser, a senior Spanish major from Elk Grove, Illinois
Scripture: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (NRSV)
Thinking forward to Easter usually brings to mind thankfulness, memories of family, good food and the warmth of springtime. Similarly, this passage starts with recognition of the permanence of God’s love and thankfulness for life. God is great, life is great, we are great!
However, winter has just ended, the memory of cold snow and darkness is still fresh in our minds. And what about when our lives are not actually great? It’s much harder to be thankful then.
At this time one year ago I was spending the semester studying in Spain. I had already been on Study-Service Term and was confident in my ability to communicate in Spanish, it was supposed to be easy. Overall, it was certainly a worthwhile experience, but there were also parts that were very challenging. There were days when I really just wanted to be home with my family and friends, be a normal student and go to class on campus. It was hard to admit to myself, let alone anyone else, that this semester wasn’t always easy.
But I survived, as I have all experiences thus far in my life. At first we may reject the challenges life presents, much like the stone rejected by the builders in verse 22, but later it is easier to see how these challenges can be “cornerstones” in our lives for new growth and perspective. Challenges are a part of living, and sometimes all we can do is trust that in one way or another, God will restore us.
Scripture: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (NRSV)
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
2Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
14The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
15There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
16the right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”
17I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
18The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.
19Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
20This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
21I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
22The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
23This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.