The Cross - We Live For It

Beads of Joy 06-02-10

The Cross - We Live For It
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

The Cross 3/5
Hello Everyone,

See yesterday we died for the cross, but today we will live for the cross. What a difference a day makes. LOL. It's truly a tough week for everybody, I just know we are all facing challenges and heartaches in some capacity in our lives. Every one of us must take up our own crosses and carry them throughout the days, weeks, months and years of our lives. Remember it was never said that following after Jesus was going to easy. But we were promised happiness and joy, and living for Him, for the Cross brings us much joy. "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:11. Oh how easily, truly anyone can have this happen to them, as it has happened to me. Once His Joy is complete in you, you are complete. Your life finds Joy in all things. Your life is no longer a life of merely existing and accomplishing only worldly things, but rather living for God. You will find that Joy is the foundation that helps you through, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3.

Remember I keep saying how we must embrace the cross and die for the Cross and now live for the Cross; all in pursuit to follow Jesus. "Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6. Our life in Christ is found in the Cross. It is He who will help us carry our Cross, it is He who will give us the strength to make it work. As we embrace the Crosses in our lives, we prove to Him that we love Him and that we place Him first in our life. We can find an infinite amount of joy in the Cross, did you know that? There is so much joy in the Cross that in our entire lives we still won't be able to experience all that it holds, yet what little we do embrace will last an eternity. Jesus in His joy took on the Cross knowing well that it was through the Cross that He would save all of us. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2.

So let us willingly carry our Cross each day. Embrace it with a little pep in our step. We are here for but a little while and where we are going we will be for all eternity. This time is the time to prepare for what wonderful gifts are to come, but we must first make it through this life. One of the most important aspects of our Christian walk can be summed up in this scripture, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3. Do you realize that not a single hour will go by while you are here on earth that the Cross you bear will be lifted or taken from you. I know that statement there maybe full of pain and sorrow to suffer carrying a Cross or several Crosses; but you can see life and Joy in the Cross. Can you see it? Have you ever just sat or were you ever kneeling in front of the Cross? or held a large Cross in your arms and just looked upon it in silence thinking of what Jesus has done for you through that Cross? I have, there is an unbelievable calmness and peace that comes over you. And then in an instant, Joy fills your heart. I have this Cross that's about 18 inches with Jesus mounted on it, it use to hang on the wall, I made it my meditation Cross so I can hold it in silence. Very powerful.

When trials hit you square in the face and it almost puts you into a coma, it is right there at that moment that you must; Trust in Jesus to help you bear the weight of the Cross that is to come. And do it with a cheerful heart. I can speak from experience, not only now, but through the past twenty-four years. Dig in on a solid strong foundation in the Word and in your prayer life. Become unshakable, it can be done. Find the Joy, seek it out, embrace it, hold it, and never let it go. Me personally I find that Joy in my prayer life in the Rosary, and when I sit in silence looking up the Cross. Live for the Cross of Christ, make it your passion in this life. Jesus first always, immediately followed by others, all others; and then if there's time and there's no one else, then worry about yourself. In the entire process grab hold of that Joy and never let it go. Jesus will be so complete in you, that no illness, no sorrow, no pain will ever drag you down. Complete trust in Him, that's important. Live for the Cross of Christ.


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO