Hey friends and family!
As I depart for the Philippines in about 3 days, I thought I would write a blog on what God has taught/reminded me of this past 3 months. One of my best friends, Austin Johnson asked me what God was teaching me so I decided to sit down and think and try to write out what the Lord has spoken to me while I have been in Africa.
I have come to consider when we neglect to remember the cross daily and even push that reality to a lower place in our lives with Christ, there then can creep in a danger and temptation to believe we are something we frankly are not. In my daily walk I’ve noticed I can become puffed up in believing we are justified people by our own actions, or even worthy through our knowledge and understanding of God’s word. And when I build this foundation of pride and confidence in myself, I inevitably fall every time.
But then, when I realize the reality of the cross and what has been paid and dealt with me through Jesus, it changes everything. My flesh ruled over me, yet Christ has made a way to free me. In my weakness I had no strength, yet His right hand upholds me. I was filthy and unworthy, but I have been crucified with Christ and His blood has cleansed me. This is the good news. My “old man” has died, and my “new man” has been born. Christ has given me a new name! This is such a humbling reality for us. When we realize we are nothing without Christ, the way up becomes the way down.
I am aware this is such a basic realization most every Christian knows by their knowledge, yet I would say some miss the power and the glory and the weight of what this means. This is what I am remembering: The reality of the cross is that I’ve been renewed and made whole by Christ’s precious love.
When I say it changes everything, I mean it changes everything! When we realize who we were without Him, and who we are now, it changes the way we worship, it changes the way we pray. The reality of our prayers change from being self centered desires to intimate times of praise for what He has done for us and how good He is. It changes the way we speak to the lost, it changes the way we love our neighbor.
This is what I have relearned in Africa – the beauty of the cross. The indescribable joy I have found with Christ. The worthiness of our Heavenly Father and how He is deserving of all our praise and affection. This is the great divide between religion and a true intimate relationship with the Father.
