The cross set’s me apart
In my last blog, I asked a question, “what sets us apart?”
As of today, Wednesday, April 8th, 2020, we are amid COVID-19 or the Coronavirus.
Since World War II, we have not seen so much heartache and unusual times as we do now. The supermarket shelves are still empty, we are socially distancing from family, friends and neighbours. We are taking small walks, running or cycling for exercise.
Social media is our main connection point with people we know and love. The church and many other groups, for example, choirs, have moved online to connect.
Our work meetings are all conducted via people using meeting platforms.
The impact on the industry is catastrophic; businesses both small and large are all struggling, while we all sit, watch and wait for this awful destructive disease to pass.
During this time, we have seen the governments rise to support the bare bones of our countries, to keep us as individuals safe, and to ensure economies stay afloat.
Neighbour is looking after neighbour. The health services are working tirelessly amid illness, heartbreak and tragedy. There have been over 750,000+ people in Great Britain who have signed up to volunteer with the national scheme to show acts of kindness to others.
It is amazing to see churches unite to offer support and help to communities and individuals around the country. Stepping up and filling the gaps, all of which is separately needed and required. They are admiral in all they do with a love for their world, as Christ loves His church.
Yet I am sat here and still asking myself, what sets us apart? What makes what I am doing any different to my school mum friend who is collecting food for local families in need?
In my own heart and spirit, there is a sense of urgency to share the gospel, the good news or the story of redemption and salvation. The greatest love story that could ever be told or however you want to phrase John 3:16.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
To be set apart, we must have our own revelation of what Jesus did for us on the cross.
I remember a good few years ago, I was internally processing some stuff with God, which normally results in me having some very frank and honest conversations with Him. It was a Sunday morning, and as a congregation, we were taking communion, and I was continuing an honest conversation.
As I picked up the bread from the plate, I immediately had a picture of my broken heart that had a cross staked through it. On closer reflection, I actually realised that it was not the cross that had broken my heart, it was the cross that was holding my broken heart together. I wish I could draw, as I want to get a tattoo of it done somewhere.
It was in that moment that I had a fresh revelation of who Jesus was in my life; He was the healer of my broken heart, and He was the person who held me together when really I should be in pieces. He was my life-giver; He enabled me to carry on and be the person who I was meant to be when in human terms I was broken. The cross represented an overwhelming love for me, and my response was to love Jesus back.
We don’t have to be in a special environment to ask for a fresh revelation or to fall back in love with Jesus. We have to just ask.
It is our revelation of the cross that is the first step to being set apart.
written by Lois Evans