What is Easter?
To some, it may be just another public holiday.
For Christians, however, our celebration underscores the resurrection victory of our Lord Jesus Christ and its significance.
A month has passed since Easter, and yet the 5 weeks of C.R.O.S.S (Crucifixion, Resurrection, Obedience, Sacrifice and Salvation) devotions have created a lasting impact on my heart.
They have drawn me in to reflect upon His goodness and it has transformed my walk with God and relationships with friends and family.
When the first devotion from the series, ‘Crucifixion’, was released, my family members and I had just recovered from Covid-19.
All in all, we took 4 weeks to be fully cleared of the virus.
The period was a stressful one, having to juggle my health and heavy workload.
Jesus’s crucifixion served as an assurance that He knows my pain and understands what I am going through.
I learnt not to dwell on my problems but to cast all my cares onto the Lord, knowing that He will sustain me.
God didn’t promise life to be a bed of roses.
Instead, he extorts us to take heart! Through His strength, we are able face our issues courageously (John 16:33).
Week 2 brought about ‘Resurrection’ and it reminded me of how light always overcomes darkness when Jesus comes alive.
I enjoy runs before dawn because I get to see the night sky illuminate slowly as the sun rises from the eastern corner.
God’s creation is so amazing.
Light overcomes darkness just as good overcomes evil.
It is also a reminder to me to always be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Instead of gratifying the flesh, I need to exercise my fruits of the spirit so that others can see God through me. He must become greater and I must become lesser (John 3:30).
‘Obedience’ was the third devotion from the series.
Whenever I think of obedience, the word ‘surrender’ comes to mind.
How do we surrender to things in life?
I realized that surrender happens when we learn to let go and not seek control over our circumstances.
When we surrender to God, we stay obedient.
It became clear that when my love for the world supersedes my faith in and love for God, I become self-seeking and self-centered.
What do I do then? Do I joyfully obey? Or do I delay obedience to God?
The final 2 weeks of the series featured devotions on “Sacrifice” and “Salvation”. Jesus’s sacrificial death is proof of how his persistent love and pursuit for us in spite of our repeated mistakes and sins.
Sometimes, I find it hard to feel his Love because I can neither see nor feel him.
But I know God is presented for us in the facts and evidence listed in scripture. It is not easy for me but by faith, I know He will reveal himself as we seek Him.
Jesus’s sacrifice also draws me to reflect on Luke 9:23.
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”, Jesus said.
When I feel lazy and tired, do I put in the effort to exercise?
Do I deny my love for snacks and practice self-control in my diet?
Will I make quiet time with God my priority before sleep and social events?
We need to deny ourselves and take up the cross to be Christ’s disciple.
And this requires effort and discipline.
God is good.
We are saved from our sins and there is no longer separation between us and God.
We are saved by His blood.
We get one life; So let us live the best we can to honour Him.
Praise God for every breath that we freely receive.
Thank you for the C.R.O.S.S for us to draw ourselves closer to Him, to learn, reflect, ponder and meditate on God’s truth.
Prayer and Reflection:
- When was the last time you took time to pray and reflect about the things ongoing in your life lately?
- How is the C.R.O.S.S (Crucifixion, Resurrection, Obedience, Sacrifice and Salvation) a daily reminder for you in your walk with God?
- Do check out the 5 articles on the C.R.O.S.S if you’ve not done so and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and speak to you about your life!
0 Comments