John 19:31-37
“It was the day of preparation, … One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also can believe. These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,…They will look on the one they pierced.”

Once, when I was about eleven years old, I almost drowned. I was in the pool alone, but others were nearby. – The experience of having almost drowned could have severely scarred me for life. Fortunately, this was not the case. Let me share my story. I was in the shallow end of the pool – walking in middle – with no barrier between the shallow and deep end of the pool, and I sunk. Just like that. Nothing to hold onto. As I opened my mouth to yell for help, it sounded like “elp!” My mouth began to fill with water, but I never had time to panic. I could l barely take another breath to stay afloat. A few others were nearby, but speaking very intensely to one another so they did not recognize my plight.

I recall being afraid and also praying intently and recognizing that God was with me. I said within:” God help me, they don’t hear me!” The next thing I knew after about two or three jumps and leaps up – I was at the side of the pool and holding onto the rail. I was safe. And God’s angels had protected me. I cannot explain how I knew there was an angel in that pool with me, that day, but I am alive and well today to tell the story. (Everyone else outside of the pool had been oblivious to my scare.) When I resurfaced, I surely didn’t offer the information. I was scared and trembling, and I recall sitting there thinking: I could have died… but I didn’t say a word. I just kept it a secret between me and God.

This experience has made me not very comfortable with being in a pool alone, today – yet I am not afraid of water. In fact, I love it. But what most amazes me – is that as a child,… I understood the power of surrendering to my higher power: Jesus! But even more amazing is this: I escaped the power of death ~ even at eleven years old.

I have been through periods in my life where tragedy and death were almost certain. Yet I have never given up. Sometimes I ponder in my mind why I didn’t say a word. Then.. while in the shower today… it occurred to me… neither did Jesus. When he was in a death situation and death was imminent… He didn’t speak either. In fact, while He was on the cross ~ when He was pierced in His side and water poured out – although dead, Jesus had not surrendered to death. He had surrendered to His Father’s will. Selah. (pause and calmly think of that.)

I have been through so many challenges that my approach today to very difficult dilemmas in my life have a greater and more broad approach than I have had in the past. In fact, I was just talking to a friend today about how I embrace changes today vs. how I did ten years ago. In 2000, I was a totally different person. Facing challenges were common day living for me. I was basically “swimming to stay afloat”. But I didn’t drown. I believe I now know why.

Because today, I reflect upon what could have been “death situations” in my life as a sustainment process. Maybe that’s what Jesus’ piercing process was all about… that even though it appeared as if He was already dead ~ He didn’t give up~ not completely. Hmm… maybe surrendering to the piercing process then is ‘really’ what sustains you. Maybe the situation you think will really kill you ~really won’t. I believe the secret Jesus kept in that little girl – at the age of eleven sustained her for years to come.

Sometimes, like Jesus ~ we pray to God and ask the cup to be removed, but I wonder… if God removed the cup, you may not have known how you could’ve lived out the rest of the story. Maybe even with you , “others will look upon your piercing process, as well.” So I admire Jesus for this very reason… “He went a little further.”

Matthew 26:39 “And He went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (KJV)