An Easter Conviction

Good Friday…the day Jesus died on the cross. He carried the burden of the world on him, my sins. He did not have to, but he chose to because he knew how much the Father loved us. God  loved us so much that he sent his only son into this world to die on a cross for the sins of the people. Those people worshiped him when he did miracles and taught the law, but under the pressure of the world and selfish desires, they turned their backs on him and demanded he, the Messiah, be crucified. They spit on him, cursed him and gambled for his clothing. Those same people who rejoiced when he turned water into wine, healed the blind and the lepers and brought the dead back to live, now yelled and jeered at him, choosing to be blinded by his real mission on Earth. Now you make think, “Oh I would never be one of those people. I would never leave Christ’s side.” But would you? If under pressure, would you fall into the temptations of the world and pride? How would you feel to be one of the few standing at the foot of the cross and people were yelling at you? Would pride get to you? As I stood at the foot of the cross for Easter Pageant, mourning with Mary Magdalene, Salome, Mary and Martha, Johanna, Mary, the mother of James, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. I listened to the people screaming things at the Chosen One and at me. “Why do you worship this man?” “He’s on a cross and can’t save you now.” “Look there’s your Savior on a cross.” While all of that was just acting, I began to think that I wouldn't be standing here with these women, but would be in the middle of the crowd. Yelling at Christ and his faithful followers, not even thinking about how it must have hurt them and even worse, hurt Christ. As a Christian, one of my worst fears is that I will disappoint or hurt God by my actions. We criticize and judge those who were yelling and yet we do that daily. Not necessarily yelling at God, but we question His plans, we curse Him, we ignore Him, and we don’t stand up for our beliefs. What is wrong with this world and Christians today? We should strive to be like those women at the cross and the disciples who stood their ground and did not falter when the world pressured them. God gave up so much for us and yet we don’t acknowledge it.  Today visualize yourself standing at the cross watching your Savior die for your sins…for you. Listen to the people yelling around you. Listen to the curse words, the jeering, and everything else, will you join in? Or will you quietly stand with the women and let it sink in what Christ is doing. Your Savior, Messiah, Redeemer and Friend is taking your sins upon his shoulders when that could have been you on the cross. Get on your face today and thank God for such a sacrifice that we definitely don’t deserve.

2013: What an exciting year!

Well, it has been an extremely long time since I've written and so much has happened! I'm still at school, but graduating in May. Looking forward to that, but not sure what the future holds for me. It's crazy to think that this is it...this is, as far as I know, the last time I will be in school again. So much to think about. What am I supposed to do with my life? What career path do I follow? Do I want to get started on my career or take some time off and travel? Probably not the latter, since I have no money, but it's a good thought. I have so many opportunities to do what I love.

My brother, Bret, is traveling with Life Action Ministries as a bass player on one of their revival teams. This is something I would love to do as well. I've auditioned, but we'll see in a few weeks if I am accepted. I know that my heart and passion is in revival and in helping to bring it back to the Church in America.

I also have been talking to LAM headquarters and family camp about potentially working up there. I know that at the headquarters, they would have a job for me, but I think that if there was a job at camp, I might take that one. But it's not up to me, but up to God.

As well as looking into revival ministry, I have been looking for jobs in here and back home. I have gotten several inquiries about jobs locally, and looking into them just for the heck of it. My heart wants to stay at here and be able to hang out with my friends, but I really want to go into the ministry. But once again, not up to me!

School is going well, just extremely busy. Working three jobs, taking 13 hours, hanging out with friends, and participating in Easter pageant; these are the things my life consists of now, but I love it! This school is so amazing and I wouldn't trade my experience here for anything in the world! I remember how last year, I refused to call this place home and now, I've come to call this place home and never want to leave!

And so continues my journey as a senior in college and everything else I am! Ready to see what God does with my life.