“In the cross, in the cross

Be my glory ever,

Till my ransomed soul shall find

Rest beyond the river.”

“Near the Cross” by Fanny Crosby

This last Sunday we sang a hymn with the chorus printed above.  I was brought to tears by these simple and yet powerful words.  In recent weeks I have had to say goodbye to people who have helped shape my spiritual life.  I have been confronted with discouragement.  I have had to engage in tough, confrontational conversations with people inside and outside of the church.  I have seen my character attacked and my family attacked.  All of this has led me to doubt my effectiveness as the pastor of THBC and my call to ministry in general.  I kept asking myself, “Should I be dealing with all this hardship?”

It was in the midst of this period of doubt and self-loathing that these words pierced my heart and reminded me of what the Lord has told me.

Christ said, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Paul told Timothy, “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5)

These words remind me of the truth of who I am.  I am an ambassador for Christ.  I am a traveler through this world.  This place is not my home.  I will endure hardship here.  I will suffer.  I pray that my suffering will be used to glorify God. 

But I should not seek my peace and my place here.  My soul was made for eternity.  I am destined to be with Christ in glory.  My ransomed soul will find “rest beyond the river”, so I don’t need to keep searching for it here.  If I do, and if you do, then we will be disappointed.

Our rest is when we will be with Christ.  If you have not received Christ in this life, then you will never be with Him in the next.  We want to share with you what that means, so join us this Sunday!