| Blogs > marbella3 > The Word For Life. |
|
Through the Cross Read: 2 Corinthians 4:8–18 Bible in a Year: Psalms 23–25; Acts 21:18–40 [Nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 My coworker Tom keeps an 8″ by 12″ glass cross on his desk. His friend Phil, who like Tom is a cancer survivor, gave it to him to help him look at everything “through the cross.” The glass cross is a constant reminder of God’s love and good purposes for him. That’s a challenging idea for all believers in Jesus, especially during difficult times. It’s much easier to focus on our problems than on God’s love. The apostle Paul’s life was certainly an example of having a cross-shaped perspective. He described himself in times of suffering as being “persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:9). He believed that in the hard times, God is at work, “achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen” (vv. 17–18. To “fix our eyes . . . on what is unseen” doesn’t mean we minimize the problems. Paul Barnett, in his commentary on this passage, explains, “There is to be confidence, based on the certainty of God’s purposes for [us] . . . . On the other hand, there is the sober recognition that we groan with hope mingled with pain.” Jesus gave His life for us. His love is deep and sacrificial. As we look at life “through the cross,” we see His love and faithfulness. And our trust in Him grows. Father, teach us who You are. Increase our trust in You. Fill our minds with Your perspective. Look at everything through the cross. 
|
|||
|
Excellent way of looking at life, through the cross. Although I do not have a glass one, I do have an inexpensive twig one hanging over the hand towel in my bathroom. I bought it for almost nothing at a close out, and it was adorned with fall leaves and pumpkins. I just remove those and add flowers for the season..... but the important part is every time I dry my hands, I see it and it causes me to think of Jesus. Often, I simply glance at it, but sometimes, I whisper "Thank you." Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
|
×
×