As
we approach the celebration of life through the resurrection of
Jesus, the picture of his crucifixion is etched in my mind. I see
the nails that hold Him on that cross driven through his hands as
He endures the pain of man's sin. Blood trickles down His face and
yet in all His suffering Jesus said, "Father,
forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke
23:34). Begging for mercy
His concern was saving us from ourselves rather than his own circumstances.
Forever forgiving even in His suffering is our lord Christ Jesus
and through his sacrifices, today He continues to live in us!
Although
I did not see Jesus crucified on the cross or witness His resurrection,
I know that He continues to live in the heart of man. With my own
salvation I have been blessed to feel His presence in my life in
times of joy and sorrow. That indescribable peace and love that
can only come from Him now fills me completely. As my faith continues
to grow, so does my relationship with HIM. He continues to mold
and shape me for that glorious day and I pray that I would not miss
even one opportunity to serve HIM. I have learned that if I go to
the cross daily to thank Him for his unconditional love, my salvation
and his presence, He will show me a little more of Himself. A relationship
with Him is truly what He seeks just as we do with our own children.
Wanting to please my Father, I strive to stay in His presence at
all times and remember the cross He bore for me.
Do
you see the big picture? As you travel down your road of life, do
you realize there is a point to our travels and we are not to drive
aimlessly hoping to reach our destination? Since your salvation,
have you realized as you seek to figure out what you can do for
God, to please and bring Him glory that the simplest of things,
spending time with Him, getting to know him is his greatest desire?
God is all knowing, all powerful and can do anything without us.
So why does he choose to involve us in his work? Why does he seek
to know us? He seeks us and sacrificed for us because he wants the
relationship. Life is all about the relationship and we get to know
him by experiencing things that only He can do through us. The relationship
is His way to show you and others that He is the great I AM.
The
reason we live today from creation to salvation and gain eternal
life is to glorify HIM and unite through faith to serve Him. Now
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do
not see. (Hebrews 10:11:1). And if we have the faith
to let Him work through us we may help bring others to salvation.
One of the greatest miracles I have experienced is seeing His love
transform a person from a world centered, unhappy, suffering human
being into a god-centered, joyful, caring, loving and giving spirit
and knowing that someday I will see them in His Kingdom. Praise
God! On this day my only hope is that Jesus' crucifixion will always
stay present in the heart of man as a reminder for us to thank Him
for this unconditional love. We should thank Him even in the midst
of trials in our lives as He is there to comfort and teach us that
all things are for His good purpose.
If
you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any
comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any
tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (Philippians
2: 1-2).
If
you haven't been to the cross yet, or need to revisit, Jesus will
meet you there if you only ask. So I say
to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks
receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will
be opened. (Luke 11:9-10)
If
you want Jesus to change your heart now is the time to go to him.
He is there at the cross waiting for you.
His
alter is always open…
Sherri
Hunter