The world behind me, the cross before me…

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“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 is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2

This picture was taken in Sandpoint, Idaho, by my niece, Ellie, on the occasion of a very tough funeral.  The picture draws me back to Hebrews 12:2, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…”

It has been a tough winter of grieving for me.  In this past year I have lost my dad, my aunt, and many pillars of our church in Oregon.  My cousin said it well, “Now, we are all orphans.”

In the midst of the loss, I fix my eyes on Jesus.  When all earthly hope is gone, He is our hope.  When all desert us, He will not.  He has gone before us, enduring the cross and its shame.  Because of Him and His cross we can endure.  Because of His suffering and His grace, we will stand before Him in heaven.

At the end of the graveside service of my grandmother, we all stood for a few moments, reflecting on the Scripture and our grief.  Then my mother raised her face heaven ward and sang,

• “Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,
• Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
• Heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee,
• In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.”

My mom is now in glory with Jesus.  And I trust that, because of Jesus and His cross, I shall one day be with her and all the saints.

Lord Jesus, fix my eyes on your cross and your glory.  Grant me faith to follow you, through all loss and trials, until you take me home.  Amen.