The Way of the Cross

 There is only one road for the follower of Christ--"the way of the cross leads Home." "If anyone would be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me."

It is at the foot of that cross where my journey began. When I saw that all my human effort could never atone for my sins, that faith in my Savior and His atoning work for me on the cross was the only way to forgiveness, redemption, justification, and eternal life, I began the work of following Him Home.

And so I must begin each day along the journey by kneeling in humility, helplessness, and gratitude at the foot of the old rugged cross. I need His grace today to deny myself, to put to death my desire to live my life my way, to put to death my desire to be in control of my life. I need His grace to walk with Him whatever this day brings into my path. I need His grace to face my Garden of Gethsemane and pray, "nevertheless not my will, but Thine be done."

And I need to remind myself daily where the way of the cross leads: Home. At the end of the journey, He will meet me at the "door" with open arms, "welcome, I've prepared a place for you. Welcome, I will wipe away your tears and sorrows forever. Welcome, I have some of My other children who have been waiting to greet you. Welcome to My Father's Home to live forever in His joy, surrounded by His beauty. Welcome, there's no place like Home." Such a mindset empowers me, motivates me to embrace the Spirit's leading, to desire with all my heart that I might today on the way Home be transformed more and more into His likeness. "He who has this hope in Him purifies Himself, even as He is pure."

The way of the cross leads Home. Embracing the saving grace of His death for me put me on the only way Home. Embracing His daily all-sufficient grace enables me to live for Him each day strengthened by the Spirit to follow Him through my Gardens no matter what. Embracing the sure hope of Home--"I shall see Him face-to-face--"focuses my heart on the meaning and significance of each day along the journey "Oh, to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer; Oh, to be like Thee pure as Thou Art. Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness, stamp Thine own image deep on my heart."

"It is sweet to know as I onward go, the way of the cross leads Home!"