My cross, my shame!
“…We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end”. (NIV) Hebrews 3:7-19
We make choices which are accompanied with consequences. Some of these consequences may be sweet, bitter or bittersweet in nature. And each person must live with the consequences of his/her choice.
As Christians, we have each made a choice to follow Christ. We have decided against all odds to follow Christ by picking up our cross. A decision to which there is no turning back. So whatever happens, the focus is to forge ahead. This can be very difficult when one is overwhelmed with the troubles of this world. When this happens, making God dwell in our praises becomes a hurdle (Psalm 22:3). There are times when we are tempted to throw in the towel in despair and curse God (Job 2:9). These unhealthy yet frequent thoughts rob us of an opportunity to lift up our eyes to the Lord in our difficult yet necessary Christian training platforms for spiritual maturity.
I don’t know if you can identify with this, but I do on a daily basis. The spirit and the flesh are in constant battle for my time for God’s work. And when the spirit triumph, life presents you the “best blow” to the flesh - difficult moments to deal with.
Dearly beloved in the Lord, don’t be discouraged in times like that when all hope is gone. Our God is a way-maker. He charts paths where there exist none. He makes deserts fertile and hopeless situations hopeful. He is the silent listener at each table; the bread winner for the abandoned and the one who lifts up our heads when faced with shameful situations.
The greatest man to ever walk this earth has commissioned us for good works (2 Corinthians 5:11-21, Colossians 1:20-23, Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:47). Each day is a new day to man up and carry our cross, our choice, Christ Jesus, the eternal life-giver. It is important to remember that carrying the cross comes with all sorts of worldly reactions and negativity, similar to what our saviour endured (Mark 15). Example, you will experience pain, rejection, sorrow, tiredness, overwhelming fear, mockery, disgust, slander, among others; however, the end is a victory song on the day of resurrection (Judgement day).
Heaven is a must for all of us, beloved brethren. We must work it out daily (Philippians 2:12). It’s our cross, it’s our shame by worldly standards, and it’s our choice. Let’s embrace it and forge ahead for victory is assured for those who do not falter or faint (Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24: 13, Hebrews 3:7-19). Shalom and peace to you all.