If you want to know how much you matter to God, look at Christ with his arms outstretched on the cross, saying, "I love you this much! I'd rather die than live without you."
Unfortunately, we forget the cruel details of the agonizing sacrifice God made on our behalf. Familiarity breeds complacency. Even before his crucifixion, the Son of God was stripped naked, beaten until almost unrecognizable, whipped, scorned and mocked, crowned with thorns, and spit on contemptuously. Abused and ridiculed by heartless men, he was treated worse than an animal.
Then, nearly unconscious from blood loss, he was forced to drag a cumbersome cross up a hill, was nailed to it , and left to die the slow, excruciating torture of death by crucifixion. While his lifeblood drained out, hecklers stood by and shouted insults, making fun of his pain and challenging his claim to be God.
Next, as Jesus took all of mankinds' sin and guilt on himself, God looked away from that ugly sight, and Jesus cried out in total desperation, "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" Jesus could have saved himself-but then he could not have saved you.
Words cannot describe the darkness of that moment. Why did God allow and endure such ghastly, evil mistreatment? Why? So you could be spared from eternity in hell, and so you could share in his glory forever!
Jesus gave up everything so you could have everything. He died so you could live forever. That alone is worthy of your continual thanks and praise. Never again should you wonder what you have to be thankful for. ~ The Purpose Driven Life, By Rick Warren
Familiarity breeds complacency. - How true is that statement? I will remember this blog, when I start to get complacent. It has not room in my heart. I love you - so proud of you sharing and your growth, sister! <3
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