The Cross to Begin With
So you’re a Christian and you’re now walking in the direction of the way Jesus is making for you in life. This is pretty amazing… life changing. I’m glad to imagine you’re nodding with me to all these affirmations.
Amazing does not always mean easy though, does it? Have you ever been dismayed believing you are lacking support? Did you ever look around and notice you were alone? I know… Yes, of course! So, let's talk about this frustration.
You and I already know our master was rejected, we know of the many times he wasn't received by his very own and we know he didn’t even find honor in his hometown. We also know it all ended at the cross. Still, we often find ourselves asking God why we go through or have to deal with rejection.
I have found that there is beauty in observing how all of the ones the Lord brought up to deliver his people were also questioned at some point: Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Samuel… Jesus! There is beauty in understanding the cross was not the end, but the beginning. This means you and I are kinda bound to suffering rejection and we need to learn how to accept that “They have not rejected you, but me” 1 Sam 8:7.
We need to remember that carrying our cross means walking the way after Jesus. You are basically following His tracks and this is how you know everything is alright: He has been there already! It will be hard and lonely sometimes, but it will also be better and surely easier than pleasing others around us all the time, catering for them with words they want to hear instead of speaking truth. Did you ever consider how much energy is involved in the process of maintaining your family and friends satisfied with you, rather than nurturing relationships where your strongest bond is in Christ Himself? Jesus gave everyone around him enough to be satisfied. He fed and healed the people time and again, still they didn’t believe. Even some of his family and disciples left. "For not even his brothers believed in Him” John 7:5.
Today I choose to believe the Lord is ready to heal you and I from fear of rejection. I even believe He is ready to do that on Sabbath, if needed, through the transcending power of faith . I choose to believe that he has opened my eyes so I can see truth. I choose to understand that it is in the lonely road that we’re reminded of who we are, becoming more focused and hardly getting distracted anymore.
Remember, your focus should be on nurturing bonds that are healthy in Him. So today, choose to serve others around you, in spite of who they are, receiving them as a provision too. God will always lift up people to be our friends and family, as long as we are ready to leave everything we know behind for His truth.
"And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." Mat 19:29
