The Cross

Two rough beams of wood.  Two hands stretched wide in love.  One Holy God bleeding out hope.  The cross… where glory died and hope was born.

And it’s what Christ beckons us to carry each and every day.

My flesh is totally mortified… Ugly thoughts, poisonous doubts, mocking pride lie bare and open on the cross of self-sacrifice.  Kneeling before the cross, Christ’s blood drips down and over, washing and healing, making me new.  And as His glory falls, my hope rises.

Because of the cross I am free. I’m free to love and give and chase after the face and smile of my Jesus.  I’m free to enjoy my four legged friends, climb mountains, and breathe in the grime and dust of working at the Ranch and playing with the kids.  Jesus has freed me to live in joy.

The cross is where the battle stops.  Sickness has toyed with me and knocked me down, but I’m free to smile.  Lies of discouragement have tampered with my faith, but I’m free to laugh.  Grief has worn me thin, but I’m free to stand firm at the foot of the cross.

What a gift to carry with us!  What a Savior and friend to guide and lead us!

One little girl came to the Ranch… Her horse wanted to roll in the sandy arena so we took off the saddle and halter and I heard these words roll off my lips:

“You know what’s left when you take all the ropes off your horse?  The TRUTH.  That’s when you can see if your horse really wants to follow you.  Sort of like Job in the Bible.  Satan thought Job only followed God because of all the strings attached – because he wanted to be rich and healthy.  So God told Satan he could take those things away.  That’s when the TRUTH was seen: Job would follow God no matter what.  Sometimes we wonder why hard things happen to those who are following Jesus, but really, it’s so the truth can be seen.  That’s when we can show the world that Jesus is worth following, no matter what.”

The horse followed the two of us and stood patiently as we talked, happy to wait quietly in our presence.  And I thanked Jesus for the picture He gave me of waiting patiently under the shadow of the cross.

In His presence is fullness of JOY.

Joy at the cross?  You bet!  That’s where we meet the end of ourselves and the beginning of our King.  Nothing could be more exciting.

Thank You, dear Jesus for the cross – where faith is proven real and love is tested strong.  Please teach us to abide quietly there in joy as we wait on You.