Justin Tucker, LHBC Worship Pastor
Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord, I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross
You’ll never find a better place to reset and refocus than at the foot of the cross of Jesus. There have been lots of times in my life that I’ve needed a reset. One of those times was in February of 2009. I was leading worship for a youth event and after we finished I sat down next to a good pastor friend of mine, and he handed me a note that simply said, “Leading worship is what you were made to do. I’m proud of you. Keep following the Lord.” That note and that encouragement came to me at time that, honestly, I wasn’t prepared for. You see, I thought that I was in a pretty good place in life. I had a great job, I was in a country band that was starting to gain some local traction, I was volunteering at church and I pretty much did whatever my heart desired. I wasn’t ready for that note because it confronted me with a truth that I had run from for 9 years. I had felt the Lord calling me into ministry my senior year of high school, but I had given up on His plans. I was happy pursuing my hopes and dreams and I was oblivious to the fact that I was living my life completely for me and giving God my leftovers. That note was the wake up call that I needed to realize that the successes that I had achieved in corporate America or getting a song on the radio paled in comparison to being in the center of God’s will for my life. Those things that I once held dear, I now counted as loss. That note led to a conversation with God on the side of the interstate a couple of weeks later that changed the trajectory of my life. Finally, 9 years after being called to ministry…I answered. I finally laid my selfish hopes and dreams at the foot of the cross and told the Lord that, “I will go wherever You tell me to go and I will do whatever You tell me to do.”
We need to be led to the cross daily so that we can be reminded of the immeasurable love that God has for us. Romans 5:8 says, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We didn’t deserve God’s love then and we still don’t now. We can’t do anything on our own merit to earn it, He just gives it. It is an unconditional, unapologetic, unwavering love that we can never understand. He’s just that good.
We return to the cross to remember that our debt of sin was forever canceled. Our sin has earned us an eternity separated from God, the cross cancels that debt. Colossians 2:13-15 says,“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” He conquered our sin. He purchased our innocence and our freedom from guilt, shame, and death.
Lastly, the cross reminds us of who we belong to. We have been purchased at the highest cost. God gave his most prized possession for you and me. Chist died for us so we have the responsibility to live for Him. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” We are his, our lives are no longer our own. We must submit to his will and his authority. Do our lives look like Jesus is living in us? If not, we gotta run to the cross!
I’m forever grateful for the note that Steve gave me that day. It led me to the foot of the cross where my life was changed forever. I’m thankful for that reset and I’m thankful for a loving Father that allows me a daily reset.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord, lead us to the cross. Help us to see ourselves as loved by and treasured by You. Help us to be people that lead others to the cross of Christ. Give us boldness in sharing how much You love us and what lengths You have gone to to pursue us and save us. Help us to live lives where others see you in us. We love you. In Jesus’ name.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Isaiah 6:8
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”