Contemplating the Cross

This is my first official year that I am trying and yearning to set aside these 40 days leading up to Easter as a special time and focus on my deep-rooted sinfulness, my great need for salvation, and Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross.

Earlier this week, I finished reading Because He Loves Me. Even though I have finished reading this book, I could not get something from the book out of my head. You see…as I was reading,  I was so struck by the opening of Chapter 9 (pg. 141). Maybe you can relate?

Walk in Love

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2

Please read the verses above and let me ask you a question or two. Without rereading it now, what do you recall about it? Are you more aware of what the verse is commanding you to do – to imitate God and to walk in love? Or are you more aware of what the verse says about who you are, a beloved child, or what Christ has done, loving you and giving himself up as an offering and sacrifice to God?

I am constantly not measuring up in my mind. I’m not as good of a wife as I’d like to be. I don’t keep my home well enough. I don’t write as much as I want. I don’t “grow my blog” like the pro bloggers say I need to do. I am constantly living in a state of self-induced guilt.

I read the above verse and yet again thought of all the ways I fail to imitate God. I fail to walk in love. I fail.

I am a sinner. It is deep-rooted in my heart. I was born into sin just as every other person has been with the exception of the first two created people, Adam and Eve who experienced life without sin (even though it was short-lived), and the One who lived perfectly perfect.

The One. Jesus Christ.

As soon as I catch myself sinking into the mire of self-induced guilt that has become common place in my heart, I contemplate the cross. I turn my focus away from me and my failure and onto Jesus Christ and His glorious wonderful work on the cross.

I don’t have to be perfectly perfect, because He was.

I will mess up, every day. He never messed up.

I sin. He lived a sinless life.

I need salvation. He made a way for salvation on the cross.

So, instead of sinking into the deep muddy waters of self-induced guilt and feelings of never measuring up. I embrace it. I turn to Him. I am not expected to measure up, I never will. But yet, He did.

I look at that verse again. I am a beloved child. I am loved by God.

p.s. I am linking up to my friend Jessica who is hosting a Lenten gathering every Wednesday of Lent. We are supposed to share thoughts on our journey to the cross during this special season. View more posts or add your post here.