The Cross

'For people who are stumbling toward ruin, the message of the cross is nothing but a tall tale for fools by a fool. But for those of us who are already experiencing the reality of being rescued and made right, it is nothing short of God's power.' ~ 1 Corinthians 1:18, The Voice

If we believe that Heaven is merely a default destination for all, then are we not, in essence, making a mockery of Jesus’s death? Are we not, albeit unwittingly, with our ‘all dogs go to Heaven’ mentality, counting Jesus’s death as meaningless, and turning the Cross into nothing more than a Hollywood movie prop, an air-brushed car and truck decal or a common fashion accessory?

Today -- this solemn day we’ve come to know as Good Friday -- take some time to gaze upon the Cross of Christ, and when you do, consider these thoughts:

• How do you view the Cross? What does it mean to you personally?
• Are you thankful for the Cross, or offended by it?
• Are you awestruck by just how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ is…for you?
• Are you humbled by the fact that the Son of God gave up the privileges of His Heavenly kingdom and set aside His rights of deity to come here to Earth to dwell among us, to love us, to serve us, and to give His life as a ransom for many?
• Are you deeply moved by the fact that Christ gave up His body to be brutally beaten, broken and pierced…for you? For me?
• Are you astounded by the fact that WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, Jesus Christ died for us to demonstrate and to prove God’s incredible, amazing, unfailing love for us?

How do you view the Cross now? Do you still see it as a blinged-out trinket in your jewelry box; a piece of decor hanging on the wall in your home, office or an emblem stuck to your vehicle; a horrifying, offensive instrument of death to be avoided?

Or do you see it now, transformed by Christ, as a symbol of love, of life, of hope, of victory? Will you turn from it in fear and disgust? Or run towards it..and Him...with joy and abandon?

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Because Jesus didn’t remain in the grave, friends. It may be Friday, but Sunday’s coming. And with it, resurrection, salvation and new life!

"Men of Israel, listen to these words:This Jesus the Nazarene was a Man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know. Though He was delivered up according to God's determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him. God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it." ~ Acts 2:22-24, HCSB

Good and Faithful Servant

"Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failure as long as you have done your best. Neither glory in your success, but refer all to God in deepest thankfulness." ~ Mother Teresa

Our journey upon the road of life, with its twists and turns, its potholes and detours, and its steep inclines and long, dark, lonely stretches might be a tad more easier to navigate and more of a joyful ride if we truly believed this sincere and simple piece of wisdom from this saintly little woman....and then put it into action, yes?

I'm currently reading a book about Mother Teresa called, 'No Greater Love.'   Mother Teresa, whom I admire very much, was a woman who loved and served the Lord God with all of her heart.  She did the hard things in life, not turning away from the ugly, the dirty, the unwanted, the forgotten, the broken, 'the least of these' --  but intentionally and actively seeking them out and embracing them with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. She was a woman with a love for mankind, and was humble, not seeking the limelight or any credit for herself, but instead she lived as she spoke: referring  "all to God in deepest thankfulness."

Mother Teresa, by Mariola Paini

Mother Teresa wasn't the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.  She didn't have a 6 figure income or a Swiss bank account.  She didn't live in a big, cushy mansion.  She didn't have her own talk show or reality series. She didn't need bodyguards when she went out in public.  There are no clothing lines, candy bars, restaurants nor perfumes named after her. From the world's standards, Mother Teresa was a sweet, steadfast, godly and kind-hearted woman, but probably not considered as someone who was highly successful.

But by God's standards -- she was!

Yes, success in God's eyes and success viewed through worldly eyes are two very different sightings indeed. We sweat and strive and struggle for the applause and the praise of the world.  While we covet  awards and plaques, and secretly pine away for corner offices and primo parking spots with our name and/or title emblazoned on them, God is desiring something else altogether.

When God welcomed His daughter, Mother Teresa, into His arms 15 years ago today, I believe He had to have said to her:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

and not:

"Well done, good and successful professional"

"Well done, good and famous celebrity"

It was Mother Teresa's humility, her obedience and her faithfulness in service to Him that pleased the Lord.  And so it must be for me and for you.

TRUE SUCCESS in any venture comes from God when we truly do things for Him out of a loving, humble and obedient heart; when we remain faithful to the tasks at hand and are thankful for the opportunities He presents to us. "Commit to the LORD whatever you do and your plans will succeed," says Proverbs 16:3.

Today, you might be on the cusp of a brand new venture, about to place your feet upon a new and very different path.  You may be starting a new or your very first job.  Perhaps you're beginning a new school year in college or in high school.  Maybe you're newly retired or you're awaiting for the arrival of your first child to usher you into the world of parenthood.

Whatever you're doing....wherever you're headed....be encouraged. Do your best. Look to the Lord God for strength, wisdom, guidance,  confidence, peace and love.  Trust in Him and what HE'S doing in your circumstances with all of your heart.  Allow Him to carry you and comfort you through those times when you feel you've failed.  When success comes your way,

REJOICE!

And like Mother Teresa, give all glory and honor and credit to God, along with your deepest thankfulness and gratefulness.

Blessed Teresa, by Dan Lacey
"Never bother about people's opinions.  Be humble and you will never be disturbed." ~ Mother Teresa
Born: August 27, 1910
Died: September 5, 1997