Wow. It’s simply crazy how quickly life can pick you up and place you somewhere completely unexpected within a matter of days.
My life has taken quite a few twists and turns over the past couple of months and I couldn’t be more thankful for the journey. I never thought my husband and I would have the opportunity to serve together in ministry, and lo and behold, God has called us to further His Kingdom.
Nathaniel was just named the Worship Pastor at City Church in Evansville, while at the same time, I transitioned into an outreach role at a Christian nonprofit all in the same month. Although it’s felt like a whirlwind at times, I can’t help but just say, “God- you are so cool.” The blessings have continued to be immeasurable.
We have this saying at our new church home: “The Cross Changes Everything.” I was thinking about how to put that into perspective these past couples of days, and how it really should be applied before everything we do. The Cross represents SO many things, but most importantly, it represents human life itself. Jesus was crucified and gave His life so that we may live. There is no greater symbol of love than that.
When I think about how the Cross changes everything, I am moved to my inner core. It changes how we give, how we love, how we think, and how we serve as Christians. An awesome truth that I stumbled upon while thinking about the Cross, is that as we grow in our walk as Christians, the Cross is growing bigger, too! The symbolization as we throw our guilt, our sin, our weight and the darkness that we overcome with Jesus onto the Cross as He bears the burden is why it grows. In the same breath, Jesus tells us to “take up your Cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) Interesting. In the same way that Jesus willing takes up our “dark stuff” including trials, burdens and fear- we must also be willing to surrender all of our lives to Him.
In Jesus’s command, He tells us to give away our own plans and desires -picking up our Cross, where our old life passes away- and following Him to new life. What a beautiful thing.
That is how the Cross changes everything. It changes life itself.
How is the Cross changing everything for you?
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the focal point of the Bible (1 Corinthians 15:3). All that came before pointed to the cross. All that followed looked back to the cross. It is important that we see the cross as more than just an icon and understand what it truly represents.
-Andy Sochor