I Can't Complain

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NIV

In honor of this past Resurrection Day, I want to take a moment to meditate on the second part of this verse, "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us". For the first time ever I actually took Holy week seriously and decided to spend some extra time with God praying and studying His word. I was already doing the bare minimum which in my eyes was waking up praying and reading a few verses everyday. I'm an intercessor at heart so being a prayer warrior is second nature to me, reading my Bible is where I sometimes struggle. So this week had to be different.

Diving deeper into His word, desiring to connect with Him on another level meant that I had to not only wake up an hour earlier but I also needed to begin reading His word continuously throughout my day and ending my day reading the word.  Every time that I picked up my phone to check my text messages, emails, or my social media page, I had to make a huge effort to redirect my attention to the Lord. I spent these moments reading a devotional or my one year Bible. The revelation was amazing and I felt a deeper connection with Christ than I've ever had.

I spent most of my time this week reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and they all illustrate the test and trials that the Lord went through before dying on the cross for our sins. I think about being in His shoes or shall I say sandals and I just wonder did He ever really consider giving up and leaving us all to suffer in our sins. I know in Matthew 26:39 Jesus says, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Can we say SELFLESS! And this is why He is so awesome because even though His human side asked for the cup of suffering to be removed, He was still perfect in saying "yet your will be done and not mine".

As Good Friday approached, my heart was heavy as if I was about to lose my best friend. (Jesus really is my best friend.) So after spending this entire week dating my Lord and savior, I was extremely torn as I reflected back on that day when He gave His life for me, for you, for everyone. I was in tears because I know that I am so unworthy of the sacrifice that He made by dying on the cross. He knew we would all fall short and He still died for just for us. Now that's love!

Many times we forget that Jesus was a real man, flesh and blood, tempted just like we are tempted today, dealing with the same enemy that we face every day. But He lived a sinless life and still died knowing that He was our only ticket to Heaven.

Knowing this I realize that I might not be where I want to be or have everything that I desire to have but I really can't complain. Even if the Lord never did anything else for me, He has clearly done enough. So now it is my time to play catch up which is impossible but I will still try. Every opportunity that I get to let His light shine through me, I will. Every time that I am tempted by sin, I will do my best to say no. When I see someone in need I will make every effort to help them. When I get frustrated, sad, anxious, or any feeling that is not pleasing to the Lord, I will just focus my attention on His goodness, grace, and mercy.

 

Living like He desires for us to live is the least that we can do for our Savior who died for us while we were yet in sin. I thank Him for His Amazing Love and Grace. Lord God you are Awesome! I Love and Appreciate You!

 

LET'S STOP COMPLAINING AND START LIVING THE LIFE THAT JESUS DIED FOR US TO LIVE!