Sweat dripping down my body, out of breath and red in the face. Legs shaking, I just have to make it up to the top. 522 steps later, in front of me stands a beautiful white cross, behind me an absolutely gorgeous view of Tacloban City, Philippines. The whole walk I just kept thinking about Jesus walking to His death. I can’t imagine how hard that was to walk through the streets after being tortured carrying an extremely heavy cross, that He was going to be nailed to, on his shoulders.
How great is that though? That through His pain, suffering, and death we have freedom. Through Christ we have life, we have strength, and we have a loving relationship with an amazing Heavenly Father.
Sitting in front of this cross, I started to give thanks, for it all. For my life, for the strength God has given me to live in this sinful world for Him. I have been gaining a lot this trip, wisdom, growth and a new heart. I gained brokenness that I can rest in and a new outlook on my life. It all started to wash over me as I stood at a symbol of what Jesus did for me, I was on His mind.
As a group, we were able to pray over the Philippines and the people. For continued hope, and a restoration, and for protection. After storming Heaven, we sang a song.. The lyrics of the chorus go like this “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, oh lead me, lead me to the cross”.
Well God, you quite literally led me to cross and I am forever blessed and grateful. You showed me Your love, Your comfort, and Your beauty and I say thank You.
As tears filled up in my eyes, I sang out the words “I belong to You”. I am a child of God, He is my Father and I am loved. In this moment I truly fell in love with my God, my savior, the one who sent His son to die for me. Dang God, thank You.
I don’t even have the words to express what I felt in that moment but joy took over. I will never forget the experience I had being led to the cross, where blood was shed and pain was endured for my life, my sin, and my purpose.
Jesus, you are the true victory.
