AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS

   Having lived in and traveled to and through many states in this great Nation I have found that while beauty exists in every corner, there is no place like home. Where is our home, this is the question? Is home wherever you are, where you make it? Is home where your greatest and often earliest memories were made? Is home here your family dwells, the lands of your people? I have asked myself these questions and more for more than a decade, and for me there is only one answer; Home is where He has me, and where He is leading me. Home is temporary, and fleeting yet beautiful, and amazing, home is where we are content, and at peace. At peace with the Lord, and nowhere else will ever be sufficient.

   As we age and gather knowledge and experiences, one thing we can never deny is that our time on this planet is a fleeting moment in time. Surely there must be more. I look upon the beauty of this Earth with great expectation, expectations of what eternity will be. Will it be beauty beyond measure, yes. Will it be peace and rest from the storms, yes. Will it be a life confined by the emotions and trials of life, our being held back by all that restricts us, no. In Psalm 19 we read one of many passages revealing the beauty around us, inviting us to look ahead to greater things, to hold on to higher expectations. Surely this is our hope.

   This hope can only be fulfilled by the Blood bought Redemption provided by Jesus Christ, His death and Resurrection. It can only be realized by those of us who truly believe in Him, who are "Born again" by the spirit. No fees to be paid, no mantras or activities designed by man, only a transformation provided solely by our Creator, and our submission to Him. This hope, this deliverance, this peace, that can only be found in Christ, this is what brings me home, places peace in my heart. This is what I see when I look upon the mountains, lakes, and streams surrounding my homeland. This is what I see when I look unto the Heavens and the expanse of His creation in wonder and amazement.

   Questions, yes, far too many to ask. Yet the answer to each one lies at the foot of the Cross, the only place where redemption and peach with my Creator can be found. This my friends is our hope, our only hope. Not in any man or woman, any religion, or achievement not by any Earthly activity can we find peace and redemption. Only at the Cross. And our hope for eternity? It was revealed by an empty tomb, a risen Savior. Wow, how amazing is that, how amazing is our God! A reality too profound, too amazing, too magnificent to hold, it must be shared, it must be shouted from the rooftops, amen?

   My friends, I believe each one of us in these United States have been given one more opportunity to shout from the rooftops our hope for the future, the joy of living with Christ, free from bondage, fear, doubt, and pain. May we not miss any opportunity to do so my friends, share your hope, your treasure, there is no limit as to what it can and will do.

Pastor Gene Burroughs

Servant of God

Arise Ministries of Northern California