From:
Date: April 10, 2019
Subject: It's April 10; Good Morning Union
“God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Galatians 6:14
This was one of my dad’s favorite texts. We found a list of texts on his desk after he died that he was focusing on and learning and that list has become very special to me. I’ve always liked the first part of the verse, but the second part challenged me. I’m fine with setting my goal as finding glory in ONLY the cross of Jesus, but what does it mean when it adds, “by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world?”
Maybe that’s as clear as can be and you have an explanation that is perfectly satisfying and accurate. I haven’t! I’ve wrestled with that on my morning walks lately, not finding the connection between the first and second parts. I find that when I struggle with understanding God’s word one of my first steps is to memorize the challenging text. In doing so I have to slow down and not just read it but concentrate on every word as I try and fix it in my mind. For me, that also gives God a chance to speak, as He promised He would through His Spirit, to give me further understanding.
Earlier this week I had my ah-ha moment with part 2 of my verse for today. I’m not saying I have it all figured out or that I am right with no additional options for understanding. I’m just saying that I was blessed this week with a spiritual ah-ha with God that gave me more clarity in my journey. It’s not profound, it’s just a personal breakthrough on this text for me that I want to share with you.
If I “glory in the cross of Jesus,” THAT focus will help “crucify” the distractions of the world for me, and it will help me make conscious decisions regarding the things of this world that distract me from “glorying ONLY in the cross of Jesus,” and not on anything my society and my culture might throw at me to keep me from that focus on Jesus.
A song also came to me as I was walking; you might have heard it in chapel this year! “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look FULL in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
Have a great day glorying in Christ and seeing what happens with the distractions,
Pastor Rich
Quote for the day: "Without courage we will simply accumulate a collection of good ideas and regrets." Andy Stanley
PS Only for this week, Campus Ministries is collecting data that will help us know how we are doing this year and what we can do next year that will help create the best environment for you to connect with Jesus. PLEASE take the survey that will be receiving. It will only take a few minutes. Thank you in advance. Here’s the link in case you miss it https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WKXNGLY