Embracing the Cross: A Journey of Transformation and Divine Strength (01/27/'24)

Embracing the Cross: A Journey of Transformation and Divine Strength Embrace the call to follow Jesus Christ, as He beckons with the profound directive, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead" (Mt 8:22; 16:24; Jn 21:22, among others), illuminating the path of self-sacrifice and unconditional devotion. Christ stands as the perfect reflection of God’s essence and His divine intentions. Pursuing the will of God, encapsulated in the sacrificial love and redemption found at the cross, is a journey marked not by ease but by profound fulfillment and joy for those who earnestly commit. Those who embrace the cross of Christ find within themselves a wellspring of joy and resilience, undeterred by the challenges of discipleship. It is through a heartfelt commitment to amend our missteps and to live out the gospel of Christ that we find true alignment with God's will. The presence of Jesus, perpetually with us through the Holy Spirit, empowers us to master our baser instincts with genuine happiness. Self-mastery in this context is a graceful dance of recognizing our strengths, diligently improving our weaknesses, extending compassion towards ourselves, and offering kindness and respect to our neighbors. The true testament to having encountered the gospel of the cross is a transformed life; unchanged hearts and actions post-encounter signify a missed essence of Christ's teachings. The Scripture reminds us, "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:30-31). This promise encapsulates the inexhaustible source of strength and renewal available to those who, in humility and faith, align their lives with God’s will, embodying His mercy and grace in every step of their journey. Through this divine strength, we are not just followers but joyful bearers of His cross, continually transformed by His love and empowered to live out the gospel with unwavering faith and enduring joy. -Pastor Steven G. Lee (January 31, 2024)