At the Cross

This morning I was praying for a friend of mine that six months ago would have never thought he would be where he is now. He is now leading a group of people in their spiritual journey, leading them in community building relationships that as another friend of mine preached, is “centered on the person and the cause of Christ”. As I was talking to Christ about this new leader and how he now sees the destitute, the sheep without a shepherd, telling Him about how my friend wants to connect with all people where he even spent the night outside – and not camping – so he would know what a homeless person went through when it was freezing outside, I began to ask Christ to protect him, help him understand that when He moves him to the very core of his being, convicts his heart with His word, forces him to his knees in repentance, and he lives a life abounding with joy in obedience, that when he shares his conviction with the group he is leading, the vast majority of them unfortunately will not be moved and be blind to the joys that he is experiencing. I continued in asking Christ to lead my friend in patience and that when the people he is leading become dry and hardened, to have him remember to take them back to the cross and have them remember from where they have fallen for the cross isn’t a ticket to be gained, but a consequence given. I asked Christ to let him know that some are there only because they want to get into heaven. As I continued I began singing the hymn “At The Cross” and the verse and refrain hit me hard;

“Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing Pity! Grace unknown
And love beyond degree!

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

I pondered on the words, imagery, and emotions of the song wrapped in personal application of when I have crumbled at the foot of the cross and my attention went to my relief and joy of when, “the burden of my heart rolled away” and that it was the Holy Spirit that opened my eyes. So I asked Christ to make sure that my friend understands that no matter how much conviction he experiences that leads to his repentance and being reconciled with Christ, not everybody will be convicted as he is convicted because not everyone has the same commitment to obedience that he has, nor hearts that listen to His prompting as his.