Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Drenched in Calvary's Love


“If monotony tries me, and I cannot stand drudgery; if stupid people fret me and little ruffles set me on edge; if I make much of the trifles of life, then I know nothing of Calvary love. Amy Carmichael, If: What Do I Know of Calvary Love?


If you think about it, one of the best things we can do for ourselves is to stop long enough to revisit Calvary. It’s important we do so once in awhile to remind us of what Calvary’s love is all about. Too often when we think of Calvary’s love the only thing that comes to mind is unconditional love and forgiveness. We frequently forget those aren’t the only footprints that lead to and from the foot of the cross where Jesus died for us.

His death was for our sins. His death was for our freedom. His death was for our salvation. His love coming from Calvary was a love that tells us we don’t need to fret any more. Monotony doesn’t need to try us. Drudgery doesn’t need to affect us and stupid people are only a threat to themselves not a fret to us thanks to Jesus.

All of this definitely goes beyond the message of only love and forgiveness. At the foot of the cross we discover much more than we could even imagine. It’s there where we find drenched in Calvary’s love strength, acceptance, courage, faith, trust, love, guidance, and so much more. The kind of things that help us to get through the obstacles in life that seems to set us on edge or back a step or two.

God said it in the Old Testament in Psalm 37 when He made mention of, “Fret not” and in His own way He said it again at Calvary, “Fret not.” The best way to do that is to follow the pattern put forth in Psalm 37. We need to trust in the Lord, do good, delight ourselves in Him, committing our way to Him, as well as taking the time to be still and wait for Him patiently. Psalm 37 tells us to refrain from anger, the message of Calvary’s love says there’s a lot more we need to refrain from and letting life get to us in a negative way is one of those things.


We gained so much more at Calvary’s cross than just a story book with interesting tidbits of history written in it. We got a Friend who is willing to walk us through these situations or carry us through or even sometimes push us through when we try to drag our feet.

There is victory in Jesus. His death on the cross opened a big door for us but we need to stop for a moment and notice which side of the door the handle is located on. Now that the door into Heaven has been constructed through Jesus the handle that opens it is on our side. We are the ones responsible for using it.

We should never make the mistake of living our lives as if that door is set on automatic ready to slide open whenever we get close to it. Or treat it as if it’s set to revolve around for us to stand there and try to guess when the right time to step in would be. No we need to open it with our hearts, the actions we take, obedience we display, and the fretting not business we’ve chosen to give up.

We have God on our side. That is the message of Calvary’s love and nothing else should matter, nothing else should affect us. Read the end of the book, He is the one that wins so “Fret not.” Life with Christ beats life on the edge any day as we stand drenched in Calvary’s love.



© 2010 Karen J. Gillett @ Pencil Marks and Recipes Publishing

6 comments:

Nic said...

The best way to do that is to follow the pattern put forth in Psalm 37. We need to trust in the Lord, do good, delight ourselves in Him, committing our way to Him, as well as taking the time to be still and wait for Him patiently. Psalm 37 tells us to refrain from anger, the message of Calvary’s love says there’s a lot more we need to refrain from and letting life get to us in a negative way is one of those things.

We gained so much more at Calvary’s cross than just a story book with interesting tidbits of history written in it. We got a Friend who is willing to walk us through these situations or carry us through or even sometimes push us through when we try to drag our feet.


And, dear Lord, AMEN for that! IDK where I'd be without that Friend in my life!

Missie said...

Amen! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Great reminder that with Calvary's love we never need to fret.

Thanks for participating.

Miriam Pauline said...

Oh, Karen, thank you for the reminder that we can "fret not" because of Calvary! Wonderful post my friend. Thank you.

Debbie Petras said...

Karen, I love what you wrote:

"Now that the door into Heaven has been constructed through Jesus the handle that opens it is on our side. We are the ones responsible for using it."

Opening our hearts to His love each day allows us to love others through Him.

Blessings,
Debbie

Tami said...

Fret not.

I like it. Thanks, Karen.