What Heavy Cross Do You Bear?

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (1)

Like many of you, I have been given a cross to carry. When our cross becomes so burdensome how do we make it through another day? God doesn’t allow us to bear the weight of a heavy cross without His sustaining grace to bear up under the stress. Faithfully, He upholds us even when it is difficult. I’ve been permitted to shoulder a particular weighty cross that I didn’t want to be identified with. I questioned “Why this, Lord? It brought confusion as I began to sort through the ramifications. How can we make sense of the times in life that seems a bit unfair or even unjust? May I share my struggles with you?

Born the middle child in my family, I felt a sting of middle child syndrome. To I didn’t’ understand the role of the middle child. It seemed to me the first is the leader, and the last is the ending joy, but I felt confused by my part in the family. I felt like the invisible child. Then later in life I wanted to be invisible, glossed over, obscured and out of sight. This was after my son was murdered. I didn’t want to be associated with anything linked to murder. Who would? I never knew the offender but still my son was murdered. I got lost in the circumstances. Was I a victim? It seemed I was loosing my way until I realized, murder doesn’t identify who I am. Absolutely not! When I accepted Christ, I was given a new heart with a new identity as a dearly loved child of God. Neither my upbringing nor the fact that my son was murdered determined who I was or who I am called to be. God has made provision to call me into a relationship with Him. Joy and peace are where I found contentment despite what happened. Why? I discovered happiness is not dependent on circumstances but it rest in my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Circumstances do not predict who you become nor do they define who God says you are.

Those situations when you wish you are visible or invisible are valid emotions. Also are the times when you feel unimportant or insignificant. What about the occurrences that have unfolded in your life that were not of you’re choosing? Where do you go? What do you do with these intruders that leave their mark of distinction?

Jesus is the key that unlocks the door of truth.

“All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them whom comes to Me].” (2)

Anyone who adheres to, trusts in, relies on, and has faith in Jesus has eternal life. That is, when you believe in Jesus and the saving merit of His blood…you will be saved. Salvation changes your position with God. Now you are in harmony with the living God, filling the role He has planned for your life. The Lord lives in you; you’ve received His spirit and life…the hope of glory! Jesus defines who you become! You are a child of the King and clothed with the righteousness of Christ. You belong to Him, and are called His own. God has drawn you to Himself and given you desires to follow Him, so you will find your significance in Him, Who is worthy. Everything changes where He begins distinguishing your trials fitting them for His glory and using them to declare His majesty. Praise God you have purpose and a new identity!

Lord, I commit my way to you and ask that you take me as I am. I struggle, I’m wayward, and I am in need of You. Arise in my circumstance to attract me to You…as I set my eyes on Your glory come to let the world fade away. Only Jesus! Amen and Amen.

Footnotes:

1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 nas
2. John 6:37 amp