For 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 (NIV)

            We’re just a few weeks away from Holy Week. At the center of our faith is the cross. The cross is everywhere. People wear it as jewelry, get it tattooed, we see it on buildings, in media, all over the place. With the ubiquity of the symbol, perhaps it’s prone to lose some of its meaning and importance. What does the cross mean to you?

            Paul says its message is foolishness for those who don’t know Christ. But for those that do, it is “the power of God.” The message he refers to is the fact that God showed his strength through weakness, won his victory through defeat, and showed his love by sacrifice. These values don’t make too much sense from a worldly perspective, seeming foolish. But Easter is this yearly reminder that our God showed us his heart through the cross. In the gospels, Jesus said “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) How do we take up our crosses every day? Living a cruciform life means living a cross-shaped life. It means that every decision I make, I make not just with myself in mind, but a desire to put others first and be an instrument of God’s love, even when it costs me something. This is how the church works. When we commit to cruciform living, we hold each other up and meet each other’s needs.

            Some prayer points as you reflect and pray for GP today:

·      When is the last time showing the love of God to someone cost you something? Where did your obedience lead you?

·      Ask God how your life can better reflect the wisdom of the cross and the message of the cross in your home, workplace, school, etc.

·      Ask God to prepare your heart for Holy Week and to teach you something new this year.

·      Pray for GP. Pray for unity among its people, its ministries, and in purpose.