Take Up Your Cross

 

My husband and I have been going through a new member’s class at our church. It’s been a great time for us to renew our understanding of the church. When you have been involved in church for so long, you can tend to lose focus. For us, this course has been a redirect, from the challenges of our life to the reason we are here in the first place. Today, during our study time we were reminded what it means to be a disciple and that we are called to go and make disciples. In the explanation of what it means to be a disciple, Matthew 16:24 was used:  ^‘Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”’

Immediately I asked myself, “What does it mean to take up your cross?”   Our teacher says, “Whatever it takes; whatever it takes to follow Him.” I couldn’t help but think of the simplicity of that statement, yet in my heart I know I’m not doing whatever it takes. Whatever it takes, would require me to answer in love when I want to express my anger. Whatever it takes would require me to give up my comfort for the comfort of someone else. Whatever it takes would require me to allow God to take vengeance and for me to bless those who curse me or doing good to those who hate me ( Romans 12:18, 1Peter 3:9). Whatever it takes means letting go of what I want and letting God teach me what He wants.  

Whatever it takes seems so simple, yet so difficult at the same time.  I wanted to learn more about what this means and how to apply it to my life. In my search, I came across the following statement, “The pain of the cross can bring healing to your life so that you can bring glory to God in ANY circumstance.” (McDowell, 2013).  Any circumstance??? Yes, any circumstance. “We know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Does that mean God wants us to be hurt? Does that mean that God causes us to be hurt? No. It means that what the enemy meant for Evil, God meant for good. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20). Everything that I went through during the 9 years of abuse I endured, was meant to harm me, to isolate me, to strip me of my confidence, to steal away any support I had, to cause fear. It took me 9 years to realize that God did not want me to endure the abuse. All I heard was “God hates divorce” when if you take time to read the entire verse that this comes from, it actually says, “I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence. Therefore, keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate].” (Malachi 2:16).

God rescued me from the abuse. He brought people into my life that helped keep me and my children safe. He orchestrated every part of my rescue from beginning to end. I have no doubt about that. But he also took what was meant to hurt me and brought beauty from the ashes. Even at my lowest points God used each situation to reveal His Glory. My life was frightening, there were days I wondered if I’d die. Every day that I used Christ’s strength to get out of bed and live my life for Him, he showed me that he is my protector, my healer, my friend. My faith increased even in the little things that he did each day. Taking up your cross does not mean that God wants you to endure pain, but it does mean that he will bring healing to your life in a way that is complete and the kind of healing that only he can do, if you choose to pick up your cross and follow Him. The healing he brings may not match our idea of healing, but I promise you it will be much more amazing than what you asked for if you take the time to see it.

 When you pick up your cross every day, your faith is stretched to move beyond what you ever thought possible.” (McDowell, 2013).

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)

References:

McDowell, C. (2013, September 20). What Does It Mean To Take Up Your Cross Daily? Retrieved August 20, 2017, from http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/what-does-it-mean-to-take-up-your-cross-daily/

When the Enemy Wins

 

 

When I was a little girl, I remember my parents singing a song in church that said, “I may lose a battle now and then, but I’ve already won the war.” If you are young, you probably won’t even know this song, and I’ve just revealed my age. If you’re older, the tune to this song probably just popped into your head. It’s one of the songs that I have remembered throughout my years. Some of us would do well to listen to the words of songs that were written generations before us (and all of God’s older children say “Amen”). Music style changes throughout life, but God’s word is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Rather than complaining about the music style, look at the words and let them speak to your heart. They are timeless treasures that have been given to us. Take a moment to read over the words of this song:

Verse:

This ol’ world’s a battlefield where we must fight each day

To overcome the evil one and send him on his way

 Like a man ‘or his Almighty God, and there’s no greater

 Near or far

 I may lose a battle now and then, but I’ve already won the war.

 

Verse:

When you’re afraid and all alone, and think that no one cares

When the daily task of getting by has caused you to despair

Just take God’s word into your heart and on His promise Stand

You know, you may lose a battle now and then, but the

victory’s in God’s hand.

 Bridge:

You can have this confidence that helps to see you through

If you’ll but give Him residence and let Him live inside of You

Verse:

He never promised that it’s easy, but salvation’s worth some Scars

I may lose a battle now and then…

Oh, but I’ve already won,

 And the victory’s mine,

I’ve already won the war

 

I’ll have to admit that when I started this blog 6 years ago, I didn’t get far before the enemy came in to discourage me; a battle that I lost and gave up.  There’s been so many lost opportunities that God could have used to speak to others, because day after day, I let the enemy win the “You’re not good enough” battle, rather than standing firm in my identity in Christ. But as long as we are still living, we have the opportunity to put on the armor and resist the devil (Ephesians 6:10).  It’s a choice that each of us have to make.

 Luke 9:23 says, “Then he said to them all, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’”  

We can’t do that if we are too busy listening to the lies of the enemy. If you are losing that battle daily, and feeling defeated, then you need to look at the end of our story because that’s not how our story ends. It should motivate you to know that God’s already won the war, no matter what the enemy says. We have victory because of Him.  That’s reason to celebrate.

Stop giving the enemy the joy of seeing you discouraged. He sure can’t do anything about his future (or ours), but he will rob you of your happiness if you let him. He will also rob you of opportunities to be a blessing to others.  Thanks to the reminders from some of my fellow Christians, I will resist the enemy when he tries to discourage me from sharing my heart.  The Lord has given each of us talents to be used for His glory. Whatever talent He has given to you, stop letting the enemy discourage you from using it. Allow God to shine bright through you.

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. “  (1 Corinthians 15:57)