Beauty of the Cross by Jonny Diaz

“The beauty of the cross is that there’s One who has redeemed my soul
The beauty of the cross is that I’m finally free and letting go
The beauty of the cross is that Your grace has found me just as I am”

One of the priveleges of being a father is also one of the most stressful things as well; watching your children grow up. As they grow older they seek more independence, and make more of their own decisions. As a parent you give them  more room to learn from their own victories and mistakes. Sometimes, you agree and sometimes you don’t.

This past year my daughter attended her junior prom. She went dress shopping with her friends, and came home with a dress of her liking. My wife called me to inform me she got a great deal at an expensive boutique, off the clearance rack. It was a bargain! When I got home and saw the dress I thought to myself, “I can see why it’s on clearance! Who would want that?” I bit my tongue, and on the night of her prom my daughter came out, and she looked absolutely stunning. It wasn’t because of the dress that she was beautiful, it was because of her beauty that the dress looked good. I didn’t see the big picture.

The same thing can be said for the cross. When you look at it alone, there’s hardly anything to inspire thoughts of beauty. In fact, I would venture to say that by itself it’s downright bleak. It’s when you think of the sacrifice that our Saviour Jesus Christ made on that rough piece of wood that the beauty shines through. The cross is barren without Jesus – He makes it’s beauty complete. I’m grateful that the Father saw the big picture.

Father, thank you for giving us a glimpse of beauty complete – thank you for Jesus!