Recently we were at our son’s house helping clean the garage for our upcoming Easter weekend celebration. While doing so, we discovered a common five-lined skink (which is a type of lizard) in the corner of the garage. As our grandchildren were trying to catch it, they accidentally grabbed its tail causing the skink to detach it and run off.

Did you know some lizards have the remarkable ability to detach their tails when under threat? This act, though seemingly a loss, is a survival strategy, allowing the skink to escape predators and eventually regenerate what was lost. This phenomenon can offer a profound spiritual lesson, particularly when we consider our own Gethsemane moments—times when we face immense trials and must choose to trust God's plan, even when it leads through apparent loss or suffering.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experienced profound anguish as He anticipated the suffering of the cross. He prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). This moment encapsulates the essence of surrender, where Jesus, despite knowing the pain ahead, chose to submit to the Father's will for the greater good of humanity.

Like the skink’s tail, there are moments in our lives when we feel as though we are losing a part of ourselves—our plans, dreams, or even our sense of security. These are our Gethsemane moments, times when our faith is tested, and we are called to trust in God's overarching plan. It's in these moments that we, too, can say, "Not my will, but yours be done."

The process is not without pain.

Just as the skink experiences a real loss, so do we. But there's a promise of regeneration and renewal, much like the skink’s tail. Romans 8:28 reminds us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Our trials and losses are not the end of the story. God is at work, bringing about a greater good that we might not yet see.

Embracing our Gethsemane moments requires faith and surrender, much like Jesus exemplified in the garden. It's about trusting that God is with us in our pain, working out His perfect will, even when we can't understand the 'why' behind our suffering. It's about believing that, like the skink's tail, what is lost can be regenerated in new, unexpected ways that align with God's purpose for our lives.

My upcoming ebook, "Embracing Gethsemane: Navigating Life's Darkest Moments," dives deeper into this concept. It's designed to guide readers through their own Gethsemane moments, offering biblical insights, personal reflections, and practical steps to find hope and renewal in the midst of suffering. The book is available for pre-order now, inviting you to explore how your most challenging experiences can be transformed into opportunities for growth and deeper faith.

The lesson of the skink is a powerful metaphor for our spiritual journey. It teaches us that loss and regeneration are part of the divine growth cycle. Our Gethsemane moments, though painful, are not without purpose. They are the very instances where we can experience the deepest communion with God, learn to trust Him fully and embrace the path He has set before us, confident in His promise of renewal and restoration.

You can pre-order your copy of Embracing Gethsemane: Navigating Life’s Darkest Moments here. (https://amzn.to/3IwgFHa )

Jim

The Chaplain Writer