The peace of the cross....

A recent conversation with a friend reminded me of how easy it is to misunderstand the lives of others - to diminish their tribulations in favor of the pain we are feeling, to overlook their wounds while licking our own, to be blind to the barriers that hold them back from feeling the full grace and power of God's love in their life.  But each person is broken in some way; it is part of the human condition.  Affliction is inescapable.

It is easy to compare the hurts of others with our own, trying to quantify the amount of pain in order to figure out who is most wounded.  When we are aching, it is tempting to look at others around us, even those we love and know best, and assume that they are more blessed than we are.  But an injury, especially when the wound is in the heart, is simply painful, even if no one else can see it, or realizes it is there.  There is no better or worse hurt, it is all difficult to endure when it's personal.

Thankfully, God doesn't keep score.  God does not provide grace only for the deserving.  He sent his only son to provide salvation for all, without qualification.  The peace which surpasses our understanding can only be found in the pain of the cross and the promise of the resurrection.  Because of the loving sacrifice of our Savior, we have the hope of eternity with God, the ultimate covenant from God to each one of us.  That promise covers us, in a blanket of overarching grace, no matter what the affliction may be.

It can be difficult at times to understand the will of God for our lives.  When we are lost in the midst of trial and hardship, it is easy to question what God is asking of us.  But whatever our purpose, we need only continue to reach towards God, and his promise will be fulfilled.

In Hebrews 10:36 we read:

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."

There is no limit to God's love and mercy.  In exchange for the cross, all that is asked of us is to trust that God, in his infinite wisdom, has a better plan than the one we have dreamed up on our own.  God's perfect will brings us to eternal life with him.  We cannot do that for ourselves, it comes only with the grace of the ultimate sacrifice.

Wishing you a victory today in your journey to the cross.  Lay your burdens at the feet of the wounded Savior, and allow him to carry the load awhile.  Persevere, and you will cross the finish line and fall into the waiting arms of your God.  God's promise is waiting for you.