Embrace the Cross

Every morning when I wake up, the hardest thing about my day is getting out of bed. I am not a morning person. But I just can't seem to spend enough time in my devotions. Every morning I wish that I could have spent longer. Every morning, I long for even more time with my Saviour...I can't wait till one day, we will be with Him forever! So, because I value this time in the mornings with Jesus, I get up early. As much as my head and heart love this time spent in devotions, my body does not appreciate it too well. I have to force and drag myself out of bed. I have to plead with God every morning to give me the strength to get out of bed and make it through the day. Often when I wake up, I wake up from a beautiful dream. Then reality hits me. I have 3 classes today, 6 hours of work, orchestra practice, and hardly anytime to study, let alone eat. These thoughts can get very discouraging. I don't want to make effort. I just want to stay in bed where life is easy. Especially yesterday morning, I was very discouraged. My sleep that weekend was very sporadic, and now I had a pretty tough day to face. All I could think, was, "Why does life have to be so hard?" And it wasn't just me either. Many of the people closest to me, ones that I love dearly, were having a terrible day as well. And because I longed to help them and fix things so they could be happy, it was hard for me. Because there was nothing I could do. I was struggling too, and I couldn't give them, what I didn't have. As I went to have my devotions in a quiet room, I poured out my tears and fears to God. Then a song came into my mind...

I am crucified with Christ

Therefore I no longer live

Jesus Christ now lives in me.

Embrace the cross

Where Jesus suffered

Though it will cost

All you claim as yours

Your sacrifice will seem small

Beside the treasure

Eternity can't measure

What Jesus holds in store.

Embrace the love

The cross requires

Cling to the One

Whose heart knew every pain

Receive from Jesus

Fountains of compassion

Only He can fashion

Your heart to move as His

O wondrous cross our desires rest in you

Lord Jesus make us bolder

To face with courage the shame and disgrace

You bore upon Your shoulder

Embrace the life

That comes from dying

Come trace the steps

The Savior walked for you

An empty tomb

Concludes Golgatha's sorrow

Endure then till tomorrow

Your cross of suffering

Embrace the cross

Embrace the cross

The cross of Jesus

-Steve Green

As I listened to this song, I was filled with strength. I could feel it. I left my devotions that morning with determination to be a conquerer. Jesus had to carry a cross, and with His strength, I can carry my tiny little one. As I was filled with strength, it gave me joy, because now I could work to help others who were having a difficult day. If not by anything else, with my prayers. I am crucified with Christ, therefore I no longer live...Jesus Christ now lives in me...I must not think selfishly of everything I have to face, but think of making Jesus happy and reaching out to those around me. And eternity can't measure what Jesus has in store....