Note: You’ll notice that this blog post is not the writing voice you’re used to hearing from me. I sat down to write a typical Easter blog post, but that is not what I ended up with. This post flowed effortlessly from my heart. Sometimes one thought connects to the next. Other times, the connection is harder to make. But, its message is one God has been speaking to my heart. I’ll be interested to see how it hits you.
Easter confronts us big time. Our selfishness, pride, unforgiveness, bitterness…and any other sin we desperately justify holding onto…is confronted with the cross of Jesus Christ. All our reasons for holding onto our sin become weak.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Writing about Christ and the cross intimidates me as a writer because mere words can never convey the beauty, miracle and power of Jesus Christ.
My heart’s desire is that you would come to know, personally, Christ’s love for you. It is the only thing that satisfies.
We waste so much energy fretting and fussing over things and relationships that we’ve convinced ourselves will bring happiness and contentment. We get angry at the injustices we must suffer and the people or circumstances that get in the way of our pursuit. And yet, God has allowed them there for a grand and good purpose.
Have we forgotten what wretched sinners we are? Or that we are made from dust by God and for God? We continue on, trying to manipulate people and circumstances, all the while missing the peace-filled presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
His presence is always available to us. Always.
He calls us weary sinners to come, but we don’t understand his glorious presence, so we keep doing what we have always done, hoping for a different result. This is the definition of insanity.
We manipulate God’s Word until it makes us comfortable. We are a people addicted to comfort. Yet the Bible says we are matured and perfected by our sufferings. But if Jesus, who is the King of kings, was not spared unimaginable suffering, why do we think we will be spared?
If God has forgiven us, why do we think we should not also forgive the person who has rejected and hurt us? Are we above him? Is our circumstance the exception? How proud we are.
Oh God…forgive us. Teach us the way of love. Help us to be patient in our suffering.
I wrote these scriptures in my journal just the other day:
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
It is our lack that keeps us chasing our tails. And this brings us right back to where we began – tirelessly reaching for the things we are sure will bring fulfillment. But our chase will be in vain, until we finally come to our senses, and fall in surrender at the foot of the cross.
It is there we will find rest, healing and true fulfillment. We will find a Savior who took onto himself every injustice of this sin-soaked world. He stripped sin and death of their power and personally delivered them to their grave. Three days later, Jesus arose victorious.
He has set us free. So why do we live as though we are not?
Today, Jesus is enthroned in heaven, and calls you to come,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Let each one of us come to him today. Let us confess our wretchedness and decide to follow him as Lord and Savior.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
You are clean because of Jesus. He has CHOSEN you to be the center of his perfect love and CROWNED you with glory and honor. You are no longer bound to fear, shame and guilt. You are free. This earth is not your home. Quit clinging to it as though it was. You are only passing through.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2-3).
All praise, glory and honor to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Happy Easter!
Anna Frye is a speaker, author, television producer and founder of the Chosen and Crowned tribe. She invites moms and wives to celebrate imperfect progress fueled by the grace of a perfect God. She helps women bravely talk about the messy places of life, instead of hiding shamefully under them. She believes that lasting beauty comes when women courageously surrender their ashes to God and allow him to do something mind-blowingly amazing with them. If this resonates with you, then you belong with the Chosen and Crowned tribe. Connect at www.ChosenAndCrowned.com/blog
