It is Friday, and I couldn't be happier! It has been one of those weeks where I wish I could go to sleep, wake up, and find that it has passed. Do you ever have those days, or maybe a month, or even a year?
Believe me, you're not alone!
I'll be honest; I was having difficulty thinking of what to write for this week's post. My mind has been scattered in a million different directions trying to process issues at work, personal responsibilities, and daily life stresses. It all became extremely overwhelming, and I even found it difficult to pray.
I am sometimes tempted to think God cannot possibly understand what I am going through; that I am all alone in these private and sometimes public struggles, and I must battle them on my own.
As I take time to reflect on this week, one theme keeps returning to my heart. It is a message I have heard many times in my Christian walk, but even more so this week.
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor. 5:21
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3: 16-17
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53: 5
These verses are extremely sobering as I fully digest the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice for me. When our struggles threaten to consume us, it is easy to view God and Jesus as far away "deities," who have no personal connection to their creation.
It is MY sin that beat him nearly to death; it is MY sin that nailed Him to that tree; it is MY sin that separated Him from His Father.
6
I am sometimes tempted to think God cannot possibly understand what I am going through; that I am all alone in these private and sometimes public struggles, and I must battle them on my own.
As I take time to reflect on this week, one theme keeps returning to my heart. It is a message I have heard many times in my Christian walk, but even more so this week.
God is with me always-for He has promised to NEVER leave me or forsake me.
Several scriptural passages come to mind as I reflect on this abounding truth. I would like to share them with you, and I pray you will take time to read them, reflect upon them, and understand the awesomeness of their message.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3: 16-17
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53: 5
These verses are extremely sobering as I fully digest the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice for me. When our struggles threaten to consume us, it is easy to view God and Jesus as far away "deities," who have no personal connection to their creation.
NOTHING could be farther from the truth!
It is MY sin that beat him nearly to death; it is MY sin that nailed Him to that tree; it is MY sin that separated Him from His Father.
Yet, it did not stop Him from obeying God's will. That kind of LOVE still blows me away!!
In the early hours of this morning, I wrote a poem. I would like to share it with you!
On The Cross
On the Cross, Lord, you became
what I couldn't be,
Holy, blameless, and completely
set free.
When you cried “Father, forgive
them, for they know not what they do,”
You drew me closer, closer to
you.
I should be dead; but you gave me
life,
“It it finished,” ended my
eternal strife.
On that Cross, Lord, you became
what you never were,
Sin at its "greatest,” me at my
worst.
You became my hate; you became my
pain,
You became my tears, that fall
down like rain.
You became my fears, you became
my sorrow,
You became time, time I can’t
afford to borrow.
Oh Lord, I can’t thank you, not
nearly enough,
For the sacrifice you made on
that “Old Rugged Cross.”
These words will always ring true
to me,
‘Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord
to Thee.”
So I thank you, as best as I can;
Through my obedience til' the very end.
11/8/13
We all struggle with doubts, failures, hurts, and sins of the heart and flesh. But!! Take heart in knowing that Christ loved us so much that He WILLINGLY took on the Father's righteous wrath, so that we may know Him personally. Through His death and resurrection, we have been given NEW LIFE. Don't try and do this life on your own! Let Christ take on your burdens, and allow yourself to be SET FREE!
I pray you are blessed and renewed this weekend!!
God Bless! <3
