A Cure For Contradiction: The Cross

Updated: Jan 25, 2021

If you get it right all the time, if you don’t make mistakes or step on toes, if you never second guess or regret things you say or do and if you are never in need of forgiveness this blog post will be extremely hard to relate to. But on the other hand if you know that Christ had you in mind when He sacrificed Himself then this is for you.

In this walk with the Lord have you ever felt like a walking contradiction? Have you ever felt discouraged in your efforts to be more like Christ? And as if your confusion wasn’t bad enough what about the confusion it causes for those closest to you. Others may not see it but they do. As you walk out this journey they have a front row seat to either your cooperation with your transformation or your epic battle against it. Some people know your battle and can understand the push and pull of trying to live a renewed life and others can only see the contradiction. Some can appreciate your struggle and others will judge you for it. Your job is to absorb the support offered and understand the skepticism of those that are waiting for the fruit. After all the Bible teaches us to look at the fruit, most don’t and won’t appreciate the struggle. God is good, Jesus is merciful and the Holy Spirit wise….there will be people placed in your life that can see past your pain, your bad acting, your contradicting behavior. People who see your potential and have the desire and wherewithal to help you cultivate and grow what God has placed inside of you. There will be people placed in your life to love you in spite of your contradictions. There will be those placed in your life to protect you but don’t necessarily “get” you. There will be those placed in your life to teach you your most epic, messiest and crucial life lessons. Don’t despise them…recognize them. There will be those that leave you, hurt you, betray you and sabotage you. Their energy and actions alone cannot destroy you….but they can encourage self-destruction so don’t fall for the trap….don’t get distracted, don’t veer off course, don’t waste time and don’t allow seeds of bitterness and resentment to be planted. These seeds can result in a life of regret. Instead, wipe your tears, calm your fears, nurse your wounds, keep your head up and keep it moving….Remember as you keep trying God will keep giving you what you need. Trust in that… Trust in Him.

The best piece of advice I can give you on this journey and being a Goodwill Ambassador for Christ is to continuously look to the Cross. There you will find your passion, your purpose, your plan, your peace….your power. At the Cross you will be rejuvenated, reinvigorated and reminded why you do what you do, how to do what you have been asked to do, and to whom we do it for.

I see the words of this song in a fresh new light today ( thank you Lord for that). I hope that even if this song doesn’t resonate with you today that someday you’ll see it in a new way too…

At The Cross Isaac Watts and refrain by Ralph Hudson

Alas! and did my Savior bleed And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head For sinners such as I? [originally, For such a worm as I?] Refrain

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day! Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine— And bathed in its own blood— While the firm mark of wrath divine, His Soul in anguish stood. Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree! Well might the sun in darkness hide And shut his glories in, When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature’s sin. Thus might I hide my blushing face While His dear cross appears, Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt my eyes to tears. But drops of grief can ne’er repay The debt of love I owe: Here, Lord, I give my self away ’Tis all that I can do.