Today’s mass market christianity hates the Cross of Christ and every mention of it. Every new year, false teachers happily fill their hearers with promises of blessings, abundance, breakthroughs and overflowing goodness – a totally feel-good message devoid of the Cross. Blessing is reduced to nothing more than worldly success, health and wealth.
I wrote this poem at the dawn this new year to remind myself (and those who’d listen, if any) that there is nothing new or big. All that we need, we already have abundantly in Christ Jesus. Christian life remains the same every passing year: Carrying the Cross, hating every sin – little or big, persevering amidst odds and staying faithful to the call of Christ.
Jesus, your Cross I’ll gladly bear –
When the world mocks, let me not care!
When trials overwhelm my heart and head,
Help me to fix my eyes on the joys ahead!
All suffering will only do me good
As I carry my blessed piece of wood!
Help me to be content in every situation,
And know that You are my unfailing portion!
While the world says “more” and lusts,
Help me, Thy ever-faithful provision to trust!
Let me desperately thirst for more of You each day
And less for what the world boasts and pays!
Help me to keep my eyes on You Lord Jesus,
And flee every sin and temptation’s mess!
Help me hate little sins as much as big ones!
And in fear of Thee, help every evil shun!
Help me follow Your footsteps each day
And keep the difficult and narrow way!
Help me run the race with perseverance
Even when Your presence I do not sense!
Help me to unswervingly trust You
In everything You put me through!
Help me patiently wait upon Thee
And know that ’tis true strength for me!
References
- Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of Him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up. [NET2]
Ink & Truth 