The Power of the Cross
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
Like many who have chosen to take their faith seriously, I have been confronted with stumbling blocks on my journey in the form of criticism. I’ve had family members make fun of my devoutness, friends who have questioned my motives, and people who just flat out tell me I’m foolish. These acts of persecution, although minuscule, are still hurtful. Tears have been shed and relationships have been damaged. When someone criticizes our faith, it is not only us they are condemning, but the Lord Himself. To them, the cross is a sign of weakness, loss, and defeat.
It is in these moments of hurt and conflict that the Lord asks us to reveal to the world His crucified body in the form of strength, forgiveness, and love. We draw strength from the cross because we too carry our own crosses. The Lord forgives us by means of the cross, and therefore are able to forgive. And maybe most importantly, the cross is a symbol of unconditional, sacrificial love, therefore, we must sacrifice our pride and emotions in order to love unconditionally too. It is important to remember that we are not alone in this struggle, Christ is right here, bloodied and tired, showing us how it’s done.