Hi friends,
Its been a while since I've written anything. Hope you are doing fine. Today while I was praying I just was made to reflect that life is indeed messy, not necessarily that we all have a fairy tale ending to all our stories. We are human, make mistakes, things happen and more often than not we cannot say that everything happens perfectly even in the Christian life. If “no problems” were the aim of our Christian life, then how come Jesus had to be born in a stable, his parents were literally warned in the dream to escape for the life of Jesus was in danger. Why was Jesus betrayed? Why did the innocent Jesus have to suffer the painful trial and then the gruesome Cross? If the perfect Son of God had to go through all that He went through, why do we ,His followers expect life to be any easier for us? Life may not ever be easy but it can be glorious just like His resurrection and Today He sits at the place of honor- at the right hand side of the Father and intercedes for us.
We read in Hebrews 11 in the Hall of Faith the mention of the heroes of our faith. The truth is that not all of them had it easy or perfect. Some don't even appear to be successful, judging by human standards but in God’s eyes even in their so called failures the Lord approved of them and considered them worthy to be mentioned in this record of heroes. Thank God for a merciful God who sees beyond our frailty .Just like he saw the timid Gideon and called him mighty man of valor, how he included Rahab ; and Samson to name a few, (Heb 11:31-32) He looks at us and calls us capable, courageous, bold, efficient, successful. If we have the God of the Universe backing us up, what more do we need? He sees us beyond what we could ever see ourselves. He imagines the best for us. He has great plans for our lives. Jer 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you”, says the Lord. “They are plans for good and no t for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
So no matter what our Cross is – and everyone of us has one! Jesus has asked us in Mathew 16:24 that if anyone desired to go after Him, that person should deny himself, take up his cross and follow Him. Jesus had the heaviest and most painful Cross to bear and so we His followers also have smaller crosses to bear. There is no point in comparing crosses , for the Lord will give us only that which we can bear (1 Corin 10:13) and above all He will help us bear that Cross too. We have a High Priest who understands us perfectly , being tested in all things and emerging victorious, He is set before us as the Perfect Example to follow.
Above all, let us always remember 2 Corin 12:9-10 Each time He said ,”My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Let us sing “Your Grace is enough” by Chris Tomlin
https://youtu.be/vpYtYYaTFGQ?si=WbwEolvuqgIMri0H
Have a blessed week!
Sparky Laurie
