Looking Unto the Cross..... A devotional for day 18 of LENT Tuesday, March 28

One of my favorite summer pastimes, growing up in the Texas panhandle, was to lie on my back in my brother's wagon, arms and legs dangling over the sides, and watch the sky. On some days, lazy clouds became giant elephants tumbling gently over one another in slow motion. On others, white wispy feathers pirouetted on the deep blue canvas, swept into careless clusters by a ticklish breeze. But the nights! Those were the best times. When I peered into the clear desert night-sky, I could see almost to the edge of forever. Glittering splashes of stars. The Milky Way's insistent glow. Teeming constellations draped in dizzying cascades in every direction. The universe is so BIG! And I, dwelling on a mere pebble in this celestial ocean of lights . . . In such moments I know myself to be small and insignificant. Then piercing the velvet silence of eternity comes the dazzling realization that God, the Composer of creation's symphony, at whose very thought the vast universe was filled, is actually aware of me. No, it is more than that. He loves me. How can that be? My life is no more than a whisper. I have nothing of value to offer Him. Still, He loves me. He leads me to the menacing hill of Golgotha. He shows me the rough, splintered wooden crosses thrust there, where His pure flaming holiness crashes against dark ugly sin. I feel the oppressive empty loneliness. God has turned away from the suffering sacrifice hanging there in the center. I hear the labored heaving gasps of the perfect Son of God. He surrenders his life as payment for my redemption. On the cross, God's immense love has met my deep need for forgiveness. Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? I lift my heart with joyous thanksgiving to Christ, who stepped out of Heaven into my world, so that I might forever have a place in Heaven with Him. Kathy L. Jones Kansas City, MO USA Father I do not deserve any of this. And yet, in spite of my own feelings of smallness in the face of all that you have provided, you continually show me that for some reason, in your opinion, I'm worth all that you have done. Whatever that is that you see in me, help me to achieve that for which you have redeemed me. Amen. Suggested Daily Scripture Reading [Psalm 78:1-39] [Gen. 45:1-15] [ I Cor. 7:32-40] [Mark 6:1-12] Visit: 1999 Advent/Christmas Series Epiphany Series You may send e-mail comments or suggestions toYvonne Edwards. Edited: Mar. 10, 1:25 p.m. Page designed by:Cecil Wallace Prayer by: Joe Hittle The background set is provided by Backgrounds by Marie Copyright © 2000 NazNet All rights reserved. International copyright secured.