This Journey We’re On

God has been teaching me much lately through my experience using Phoenix’s bus system for transportation. Every day I meet people from a wide range of backgrounds: construction workers; school teachers; homeless men and women; drug dealers; business men; young, confused singles; and the list goes on. I have come across a few fellow believers, but the genuine are a rare breed.

The majority of those that join me on my trek are quite obviously living a rough life. I have had discussions with plenty of individuals where it was clear that their otherwise intelligent, full-of-potential minds had been corroded by horrid drug addictions. I have witnessed single mothers hopelessly scream commands at their multiple children, with their tired eyes drenched in despair. Daily, I am surrounded by those that are taking part in some of the most unfortunate circumstances that exist within our city.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
(2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV)

Recently, while catching a morning ride to work, I overheard a graying, middle-aged woman talking with the driver of our bus. One statement she made stood out to me: “I want to get rich, not die, and not get any older.” It is interesting that we often naturally desire that which God has promised us, yet when He offers us His grace, many reject the true satisfaction of our inherent longings. We exchange the perfect and pristine for the twisted and obscene. Of course, this theory does not belong solely to the lives of unbelievers, but can be observed in a follower of Christ’s as well. God has vowed to grant all those who come to Him eternal riches, eternal life, and an eternally glorified body. When are we going to begin to take seriously the promises of our great God? Why do we keep believing that sin has an advantage over righteousness, accordingly succumbing to our darkened desires? Christ has freed us from sin not solely for our own benefit, but so we can freely love others without hindrance.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
(Colossians 3:1-3 ESV)

Last week, as I was taking a seat near the front of a bus, I heard a computer generated voice proclaim the following: “Please remember to take your personal items when exiting the bus.” A simple suggestion, no? Nothing out of the ordinary – of course you would not want to accidentally leave something of yours behind. But after hearing this friendly reminder, I felt like God was trying to teach me a lesson through that grungy loudspeaker. There have been many times where, instead of actively engaging those around me, I have been fully absorbed in my own pursuits, busy entertaining myself while unaware of the troubled woman across from me, the talkative man at my side. The message was simple, almost redundant, yet it has proved to be tremendously influential in how I interact with those I am surrounded by:

“Eddie, do not get distracted with your own earthly endeavors. Instead, continually seek My will and concentrate your efforts on the pursuit of My lost and degraded sheep.”

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)

Let us compare a trip across the city of Phoenix in one of its numerous buses to our progression through life. At the very beginning of consciousness, we step on the bus. Throughout our passage, we come in contact with an innumerable amount of people, all entering and exiting the sphere of our life along various points of the excursion. Sometimes we ourselves transfer to a different bus, to a route separate from ones previously taken, placing us in an entirely unique setting. Is every bus made up of the same people? Like each one of our individual lives, as well as the different seasons of our own lives, the answer is no. Do we all have a responsibility, as God’s children, to effect those occupying the seats around us? Absolutely.

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
(2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV)

The hard truth is we are all in a bus, and there are fellow humans festering in our midst. Whether this grisly decadence is prominent or not, the world of every unbeliever is already in shambles; not all forms of sin are required to glare directly back into our eyes. Do you often come across many where it is immediately evident their reality is in complete and utter disarray? Most likely not. But let me again propose that although the dying soul is not so readily apparent in our country, it is just as regular of an occurence. Allow me to reference back to something I said in my previous post:

“Angry, confused, hopeless, distraught, lost—no great tragedy needs to be witnessed or endured in one’s life to experience these sensations. That tragedy has already happened; those attributes can accurately describe so many, too many. How daunting a thought! Every single person that does not know You, Lord.”

The love of Christ must control us! It is our indispensable duty as God’s chosen children to constantly pray for God to slay our selfish will so that He can reign over our lives. This is what it means to walk by the Spirit, to live according to the purpose God created us for – good works for the glorification of His name. By these means God can recruit us for His mission to help redeem those He does not know back to Himself.

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
(1 John 4:16-18 ESV)

Unlike a standard bus system, every highway and road is headed in the same direction. We will all someday arrive at our destination: the ultimate judgment of mankind. In light of eternity, it is essential that we strive to live in a worthwhile manner. It is no longer us who live, but Christ living in us; we must be slayers of sin so that we can help liberate others from their captivity. Our Father is most passionate about saving and knowing His creation, so as His instruments of righteousness, His grateful slaves, it is imperative that we ask God to reveal to us the extremity of His call. Our hearts must be replaced with His own, forcing us to do the otherwise unthinkable: express an unbridled, Christ-like love toward each and every fellow passenger taking part in this journey we’re on.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
(John 13:34 ESV)

Far too many

I feel as though God has been slowly unmasking the weight of His call to me.

In my Ritual, Symbol, and Myth class, we watched a video called “Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero.” I witnessed footage of bodies streaming out of windows a hundred stories above the earth. I heard from people who had sons and daughters slain, listening to them describe with horror how their loved ones were probably enveloped in flames, burning alive while breathing in harmful debris. In tears, they talked about how they knew their family members and friends were in heaven with God, watching over them daily. Taking a pause from hearing of emotional, physical, and spiritual hell, I considered this hope of salvation.

I felt like God was saying, “Eddie, take a break from this and listen to Me.”

So, I did.

I had previously heard all of the depressing facts, the dismal figures, the unreal statistics, but this time my heart was softer, more in-touch with God’s own. I realized that the majority of these people who hoped and prayed their relatives were in heaven would be disappointed and crushed if they knew where many of the victims really stood with God. Smiling, crying, they just knew he was alive somewhere, that her presence was still around them, that they will undoubtedly be reunited with their spouse, aunt, uncle, friend, co-worker, father, mother, niece, nephew, boyfriend, girlfriend, son, daughter, teacher, manager, grandmother, grandfather, cousin, brother, sister….

More often than is comfortable, they will not be. Instead of a joyful reunion in heaven, a scenario not unlike September 11th is their fate. Angry, confused, hopeless, distraught, lost—no great tragedy needs to be witnessed or experienced in one’s life to experience these sensations. That tragedy has already happened; those attributes can accurately describe so many, too many. How daunting a thought! Every single person that does not know You, Lord.

Angry, confused, hopeless, distraught, lost.

Every…single…person.

A friend recently told me of a survey taken here at Arizona State University involving approximately three hundred students. They were asked if and how they believed they were going to end up in heaven. Based solely on a comparison between their answers and the truth of God’s Word, 92% of enrollment at the second largest university in the country are headed elsewhere.

56,150 students.

Once class is finished, with all of these thoughts flowing through my mind, I begin to walk to where my bike is locked up. The sky is gray, misty, and raining slightly—almost like…tears? I look intently into the eyes of the people I am passing. Take a look at the picture above of college students listening to a campus preacher. Really, look. Can you see it?

Angry…confused…hopeless…distraught…lost….

I look ahead and see a group of elementary school kids walking with a tour guide. What does their future hold? Anger? Confusion? Hopelessness?

And I hear the reality sink in: “Yes, Eddie. Unless we do something…yes.”

It hurts…so bad. The pain is scary—so much deeper than normal wounds. I have felt it before, and admittedly, it frightened me. I shrank away from it; I told it to go away. There are just too many, it is too hard, too overwhelming. I am too weak, too unwilling, and too young. These excuses can no longer satisfy this new heart of mine; at this point, no justification for idleness remains.

Tonight I happened to be in a car driving down the dark road where a neighborhood friend of mine was recently involved in a fatal car accident. As we were turning the corner where the incident took place, I had to be honest with myself….

“How many more friends do I need to lose? How much time observing spiritual death and decay will it take for me to do something? When will come the moment to be truly fervent about fighting Satan’s kingdom by expanding God’s?”

“Eddie, if you hold back any longer, it will be too late for far too many. Whether it is one or one billion, it will be far too many—the time is now.”

This is the moment to become serious about His mission. No more excuses, no more resisting. Although it will hurt, it is time to be utterly consumed by God’s burning heart.

Yes our God, He is a consuming fire
And the flames burn down deep in my soul
Yes our God He is a consuming fire
He reaches inside and He melts down this
cold heart of stone.

For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience–by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God–so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”

(Romans 15:18-21 ESV)

God is God

This post is partly in response to a post by my dear friend and sister in Christ, Lauren. I recommend reading it first, for it will help you better understand portions of what I will be discussing.

I was talking with Pastor Bob at Roosevelt yesterday about my New Testament class at Arizona State University, and he described my teacher’s approach to studying the Bible very well. He said that instead of delving into the Word and drawing from it, my professor is over viewing the text and criticizing its contents by tapping outside sources.

It is hard to turn studying for a class that approaches the Bible in the described way into an act of worship…especially when the answers on the back of the note cards are found using this method. My mind says, “Hey, maybe I can make seeking the true answers to his questions avodah!” But then, of course, I find out that not all of the answers are there to discover.

Within our conversation, Pastor Bob went on to reiterate how dangerous that approach to interpreting the Bible can be. He said this:

“When we judge His Word against things apart from His Word, we are in fact putting ourselves in the position of God Himself.”

This got me asking questions:

“As I am studying the Bible from an academic viewpoint, am I truly remembering God is sovereign and that we are not? Do I understand that although my intentions are to better comprehend His Word, some of the answers I am searching for may not be available? And if I recognize that, am I satisfied by it? And if I am not, should I not be looking within myself and asking God why that is?”

As obvious as it may sound, learning to remember that Eddie is not sovereign was worth taking the class for, I believe. Although, I am sure I would have realized it eventually. :)

Now I know this is turning into a long read, but hear me out. The following two songs summarize my thoughts concerning my secular Bible classes profoundly well. I encourage you to read through and analyze their words, and to think and pray about how they relate to your own life. I cannot stress this enough: these songs have been instrumental in helping me grasp on to a Godly approach to challenges to my faith. Please, take the time to read them!

Steven Curtis Chapman \ Bring It On

I didn’t come lookin’ for trouble
And I don’t want to fight needlessly
But I’m not gonna hide in a bubble
If trouble comes for me
I can feel my heart beating faster
I can tell something’s coming down
But if it’s gonna make me grow stronger then…

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the
thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let the
hard rain fall, let it make me strong
Bring it on

Now, maybe you’re thinkin’ I’m crazy
And maybe I need to explain some things
‘Cause I know I’ve got an enemy waiting
Who wants to bring me pain
But what he never seems to remember
What he means for evil God works for good
So I will not retreat or surrender

Now, I don’t want to sound like some hero
‘Cause it’s God alone that my hope is in
But I’m not gonna run from the very things
That would drive me closer to Him
So bring it on

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the
thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let it make
me fall on the One who’s strong
Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the
thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let me be made weak so I’ll know
the strength of the One who’s strong
Bring it on
Bring it on

Steven Curtis Chapman \ God Is God

And the pain falls like a curtain
On the things I once called certain
And I have to say the words I fear the most
I just don’t know

And the questions without answers
Come and paralyze the dancer
So I stand here on the stage afraid to move
Afraid to fall, oh, but fall I must
On this truth that my life has been formed from the dust

God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting
God is God and I am man
So I’ll never understand it all
For only God is God

And the sky begins to thunder
And I’m filled with awe and wonder
‘Til the only burning question that remains
Is who am I

Can I form a single mountain
Take the stars in hand and count them
Can I even take a breath without God giving it to me
He is first and last before all that has been
Beyond all that will pass

Oh, how great are the riches of His wisdom and knowledge
How unsearchable for to Him and through
Him and from Him are all things

So let us worship before the throne
Of the One who is worthy of worship alone

A Clean Heart: Part 1

καρδία

kardia-the heart, that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind)

What I suspect was a result of numerous situations going on in my life and our world, I had a dream last night I had an arranged marriage with a middle-eastern girl that had an Islamic background. Sure, it sounds odd (and will become even more so), but thus is the life of Eddie Cross.

Anyway, in the dream I remember meeting her, then greeting her family. They all seemed pretty nice, and my first impression of her was positive. Don’t laugh too hard, but next we went on an admittedly stereotypical camel ride through the desert (I have no idea if that really happens, by the way). After a few miles, we decided to halt our little journey to sit down and talk about why I was there.

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
(Proverbs 4:23 ESV)

First and foremost, I wanted to make out an image of her relationship with Christ. Although I know many questions were asked of her, I can only recall one specifically:

“I know that you have an Islamic background that consisted of many different traditions and beliefs. Which of these have you and your family retained, and which have you given up? How has that affected your daily life and walk with Christ?”

Now, I could make up some extravagant response to further the emotion, but to be completely honest…I don’t remember what she said. Despite this being the case (and because this girl is a fabrication of my mind), I would argue that what is more important here is a further look at the motivation behind asking such a question.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
(Ezekiel 36:26 ESV)

Primarily, I wanted to see how Christ had changed her heart; I had a desire to hear more about the transformation of her spirit. Although I do not remember her overtly telling me, I had a feeling she used to harbor a lot of hatred in her heart for those that did not adhere to the Islamic faith. I knew that He had promised to give us a new heart and spirit, and that I and many others have received them, but I wanted to learn more about her personal experience.

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
(Titus 3:3-7 ESV)

My purpose was to see how God had removed that prior hateful spirit from her and replaced it with His Spirit, and in turn, how that new Spirit has altered who she is today. Sure, it is a tough inquiry, but I think it would really give insight into her character…if she were real, of course.

How has my heart changed since I accepted Christ? What parts of my heart are still hard and in need of softening? What are some steps I can take to make my heart more like Christ’s? These are a few questions I have been reflecting on and asking myself a lot lately.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
(Psalms 51:10 ESV)

Though I know a new heart lies within me, that my body has been “washed with pure water,” my prayer is for God to keep my heart and mind clean, and for my spirit to be continually renewed to a state of righteousness–all as I seek to further comprehend this transforming love that is available through Jesus Christ.

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
(Hebrews 10:22 ESV)

Graduating Life

I’m going to premise this post by stating that I am guilty of this myself (big-time), but I guess that’s one of the reasons God is pushing it on me.

Just so you know where I’m coming from, let me just say that this semester has been very busy for me. On top of my three high school classes, I decided to sign up for a few college classes as well. Factor in work everyday of the school week, and apart from the weekends, my schedule is pretty full. As a result, the tendency to become lazy has become increasingly more difficult to combat over the last few weeks. I’ve recovered from my previous lethargic stint, but it seems like the closer I get to the end, the harder it is for me to concentrate on accomplishing what needs to get done to graduate (funny, huh?).

Philippians 1:23-24
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Sometimes, instead of being productive and completing an assignment that is due, I start imagining how amazing it’s going to be when it’s all over, when there will be no more stress and anxiety. I’m anxious of what I know is coming, when the summer starts and I’ll be laying back in a pool, my sole task keeping myself from melting in Arizona’s 120 degree heat. Sure, this might sound relaxing (especially during a stormy time in life), but God’s been really pushing me to understand that there is no point dwelling on it before the fact.

Exodus 9:16
But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you My power and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

This crazy transitional phase from high school to college is synonymous to my entire life leading up to heaven. Although it isn’t going to be a place for us to just sit back and relax, I think a lot of times we tend to fixate ourselves on how amazing being in the presence of God is going to be, instead of directing our attention toward the needs of His people here on earth. We shouldn’t sit idle in awe of heaven, just like we shouldn’t concentrate solely on the end of life’s difficulties. There is work to be done now, and if we don’t do it, sure, we’ll survive…but what about the others? We’re not here to do the minimum amount of work possible to get by, but to help teach and tutor the lost so they can also graduate life and move on to the real world.

2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Many say high school is the best time of your life, or that we only live once, so we should indulge ourselves while we’re still around. Those of us who know God though recognize that this is only the beginning to our far exceeding, eternal life in heaven. There’s only one major inconsistency that exists within this analogy: there are no “second-year-seniors” in God’s world, no chances to be granted make-up work, no extra credit to push you over the edge. The time to get serious is now, before you find yourself in the stands at graduation night, watching your peers walk without you…..

2 Peter 3:13
But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.