Lead Me to the Cross
Sometimes God finds us in the most ordinary of situations, in the everyday routines.
For me, I found God today after being utterly stressed out and frustrated. I wasn’t stressed out because of one thing, but a multitude of things that I let build up inside. Trying to be somewhat productive, I decided to bike the stress away by going for a ride on the Monon Trail.
I hadn’t felt 100 percent today and it was definitely showing in my riding, I arrived at 86th Street and contemplated turning back. As I looked to the sky, I saw rain clouds, but nothing was showing on radar. I still had some energy, so I decided to press on. As I headed down towards the School for the Blind, it started raining. It was the type of rain that everyone loves, a steady sprinkle with that great rain smell. And as I was riding, I started to smile, thankful for the rain and the smell of rain.
Once I reached the Blind School, I decided to turn around and head for home. The rain started picking up a fairly steady pace and a song started playing on my iPod, "Lead Me to the Cross" by Hillsong United.
Sometimes I get so caught up in myself or distracted by life, that I don’t let the words of songs penetrate my heart, but today was different, I opened my ears and my heart…
Quiet my soul remember
Redemption’s hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross
The lyrics tied in perfectly to what we had talked about at staff prayer earlier in the day. Tim had picked out some proverbs to share with us and to pray specifically for the staff. I had to be reminded that I don’t work for Grace Community Church, I work for Jesus. Part of what has stressed me out is the deadlines and trying to get everything together… it’s all too easy to get caught up in that and forget why I’m here.
These lyrics just spoke to me in the moment:
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross
I felt so at-peace after I heard that song, so much so that I had to play it again. And I’m glad it was raining, because it hid a few of the tears that I cried (yes, I’m manly enough to admit that I cry). I felt so humbled in that moment as I was reminded who brought me to the place I am today, the one who has provided for me, and the one the I work for… Jesus.
On the last leg of the ride, the wind started picking up, leaves starting blowing at me… but I didn’t care. Normally I’d be struggling to pedal, but I felt so motivated that I kept going. And as I picked up my bike and walked upstairs to my apartment, it started storming outside. Great timing, right?
I’m so thankful that God met with me today when I really needed it.
"I am the vine; you are the branches.
If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit;
apart from me you can do nothing.
If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers;
such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love,
just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you
and that your joy may be complete.’" - John 15:5-11