A few years ago, someone asked me, “Naomi, what does Easter mean to you?” After thinking for a few minutes about how to answer honestly and how to sum up the answer to such a big question, I answered with two words: “Hope and freedom.” This year-and almost every year when Easter comes around-I remembered that question and my answer, and I asked the Lord to make those two things very real to me again. I don’t ever want to grow calloused towards or take for granted what Jesus did for me by shedding His blood, suffering on the cross, and offering His life as the final sacrifice for me and for anyone else who would put their trust in Him. What a beautiful mystery! Over the past couple of years, I have learned about some of the traditional Dacotah ways and have seen some incredible connection points between the Dacotah culture and the Gospel of Jesus. One of those connection points is in the Sun Dance. Part of the Sun Dance ceremony involves the idea of suffering for the people. During the Sun Dance, the dancers literally pierce themselves and shed their blood as a sacrifice for their family members and other loved ones. Can you see the beautiful connection point coming?! One of the “regular” Wednesday-night guys takes part in the Sun Dance each year and this connection point came up one evening this past month as we talked about Easter and what Jesus did for us . . . He was pierced, He shed His blood, He sacrificed His life for each of us, His loved ones. “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10) Our discussion that evening centered around this incredible truth. Please ask the Lord to give deep understanding and clarity, especially to those who still feel a pull to be involved with the Sun Dance. Pray that they would see Jesus as the final Sacrifice and that they would find true hope and freedom as they put their faith in Him and the work that He did on the cross!
This year, my birthday happened to fall on a Wednesday and some of my dear Tokio friends took it upon themselves to throw a party for me, complete with Indian tacos and a DQ ice cream cake! 😉 I was touched by their thoughtfulness and generosity in making my birthday so special. It was also a great reminder of the joy that these friendships bring to life and of how thankful I am for true love that we share for each other! Thank the Lord with me and ask Him to continue to use us to love, challenge, and encourage each other!
