March: Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken

Luke 9: 23-27

And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.

How I yearn this to be within every second of my life. As you see, this month's song is, "Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken." I want this song to be played at both my wedding and my funeral. I love the beautiful imagery and it truly talks about how life is going to be like following Christ.  

Jesus, I my cross have taken,

All to leave and follow Thee.

Destitute, despised, forsaken,

Thou from hence my all shall be.

Perish every fond ambition,

All I’ve sought or hoped or known.

Yet how rich is my condition!

God and heaven are still my own.

Let the world despise and leave me,

They have left my Savior, too.

Human hearts and looks deceive me;

Thou art not, like them, untrue.

O while Thou dost smile upon me,

God of wisdom, love, and might,

Foes may hate and friends disown me,

Show Thy face and all is bright.

Go, then, earthly fame and treasure,

Come disaster, scorn and pain

In Thy service, pain is pleasure,

With Thy favor, loss is gain

I have called Thee Abba Father,

I have stayed my heart on Thee

Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;

All must work for good to me.

Soul, then know thy full salvation

Rise o’er sin and fear and care

Joy to find in every station,

Something still to do or bear.

Think what Spirit dwells within thee,

Think what Father’s smiles are thine,

Think that Jesus died to win thee,

Child of heaven, canst thou repine.

Haste thee on from grace to glory,

Armed by faith, and winged by prayer.

Heaven’s eternal days before thee,

God’s own hand shall guide us there.

Soon shall close thy earthly mission,

Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days,

Hope shall change to glad fruition,

Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

© 2001 Bill Moore Music.

Although the world will despise and forsake me, I still have Christ. I have the one who saved my soul to cling to and with that I am content and ever praising Him. Another verse that comes to mind is: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Despite my own condition, I still have Christ. He is everything or he is nothing. I sometimes cringe at how different my life would be if it had not been for Jesus interceding in my life. My heart cannot fully express enough my gratitude and contentment in Him. Jesus died for this undeserving race. We are in debt for a eternity beyond comparison. 
This last Sunday, I was discussing with my friend at church about how truly happy I am there and it is ultimately where I am happiest. Why? It's the communal worshipping of our Lord! Everyone shares a similar view of who God is and what he has truly done for us. We all share the same love for Him. We know the truth and we rejoice in this. As the song discusses, life is short and who are we to assume that this life is ours to live? Life is but a mist in the air. Life is not ours, but it is God's. I encourage you to live life not in vain, but for Christ. 
Pray for me in sharing the Gospel among my friends who are unbelievers. I understand that it will be offensive and will possibly change and/or strain relations with them. I hope that they understand that it is out of love that I am inclined to share the truth with them. It is because I love them and care about their spiritual wellbeing, that I am willing to put myself worries of maintaining a relationship so that they too can have Christ. Pray for strength, endurance, and continuity in my sharing of the Gospel. Pray that I take advantage of every opportunity that I have to share the Gospel and embrace it. Thank you.
Soli Deo Gloria.