Letter

Amica-

Have you ever held a fresh mint leaf? It's green (obvi) and fuzzy in a slightly prickly way. The funny thing about it is that it really doesn't smell like anything by itself. If you rub it, the friction releases some of its fragrance. But you really have to bruise it and crush it to release its essential oils and the full mintiness of its fragrance. (Sometime go to a Mexican restaurant and watch the way they make a mojito - the way they crush the mint and lime together.)

Isaiah 53 says of Jesus that the "LORD was pleased to crush him." God wanted to release the full essence of Christ to the world. He was made complete in this suffering (Heb 2:10) - meaning the diffusion of his true person and purpose could only be drawn out by being beaten, bruised, pierced and crushed.

Jesus wants to diffuse his aroma and essence through you - and I know you want that too. In your fatigue and brokenness; in your striving to love; in your inadequacies and failures; in the whirlwind around you and all the areas that seem to be crumbling around you - I see a God who is pleased to crush you so that the essence of Jesus will pour out. It hurts, but submit to the tribulations you face because you are sharing in the sufferings of Christ - which means that you will share in his glory (Rom 8:16-17)!! It doesn't feel like it, but the old nature is passing away and Christ is being formed in you. He is pleased to call you sister and to console you in your trial as one who went before you (Heb 2, 1 Cor 1:5).

I don't want to be melodramatic or preachy, but I think these are things you should hear. Your grace and mercy are more evident than you know, and Jesus is doing great, great things in you - as he makes you an "aroma of life leading to life." ......"And who is sufficient for such things?" (2 Cor 2:16).

God's peace & my love,
Jerry