Easter is such a beautiful holiday to celebrate. I love singing the joyful hymns on Christ's resurrection, and reading the resurrection story, even though I've read it many times. Doesn't the very thought of Jesus coming to die for sinners make us want to go out in the world and tell everybody? Or does it?
I have public speaking this semester, and I've been challenged to speak up for myself more than I thought I would. At the beginning of the class I learned that I would be doing a paper on a professional speaker, and I immediately thought "I'll do my paper on one of my pastor's sermons!" I picked the sermon out weeks ago, and I was so excited because it was a perfect sermon to write on! However, in class this past week, I discovered that not only would I be writing a paper on the sermon, I would have to speak about it in class! My immediate reaction was "OK, where can I go to hear another speaker?" I was shocked at my reaction. Instead of being glad that I had an opportunity to possibly share my faith a little bit, I was afraid of being rejected and looked at as a "religious nut". I felt so ashamed of myself. The Lord Jesus was rejected throughout His ministry; He was mocked and ridiculed at His death. Yet He never gave in to pressure or became bent-out-of-shape because of this. Why is it so hard for me to want to spread the Gospel after all Jesus has done for me? My foolish pride many times gets in the way. Friends, please pray that I would be more bold for Christ, and not afraid of what other people think. Pray that I will have the courage to stand up in class and speak about my paper, no matter how many weird stares I get.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He'll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He'll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
