Journey to the Cross

Pause

Reach.

Reach, stretch.

Reach, stretch, extend.

Reach, stretch, extend, and grow closer to our Living God who is present with you in this very moment!

Listen

If anyone else has reason to put their confidence in physical advantages, I have even more:

I was circumcised on the eighth day. I am from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a Hebrew of the Hebrews. With respect to observing the Law, I’m a Pharisee. With respect to devotion to the faith, I harassed the church. With respect to righteousness under the Law, I’m blameless.

These things were my assets, but I wrote them off as a loss for the sake of Christ.

Philippians 3:4b-7

Think

Before Paul became a Christian you could say he was a part of the “in” crowd. Paul had everything going for him: he looked, lived, and dressed the part and made sure everyone knew it, too. If Paul were in high school, he’d have been voted “Most Popular.” The problem is that Paul did all of those things not because they meant anything to him but because he valued what other people thought of him more than God, who loved him just the way he was. When he began to follow Jesus, none of those outside things mattered.

Author Marianne Williamson wrote: “You are a child of God. […] We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

Remember and celebrate today that God loves you just the way you are, and do not hide yourself from others! Let God’s love shine through.

Jeremy Wilhelmi

Pray

Creator God, thank you for making every part of me unique, special, and loved. Help me always be comfortable with who you made me to be, so I can help others find comfort and joy in themselves. Amen.

Go

God’s hand is always extended towards us. Reach out and grab it! And while you’re at it, since you’ve got another hand too, reach it out towards others, showing them the same love that God has for you!