As a child, I failed to fully appreciate the blessing of growing up in a Christian home. As an adult in nursing school at a secular college, I learned just how outdated Christianity appears to many people. Unfortunately, everyone knows someone who carries the banner âChristianâ but doesnât follow Christ. This is sad. Yet, these very attacks on Christians have led me to realize how splendid it is to know Christ. Here are seven things I find wonderful and surprising.
1. The incredible creativity of God.
Isaiah Chapter 53 stops me cold with shock and awe every time I read it. That God could give an ancient prophet such a graphic description of the life of Jesus Christ hundreds of years in advance is amazing and glorious.
2. The equality of all people at the foot of the cross
Our own people wonât help us, I heard the middle eastern refugees say. Only the Christians. Christians get a lot of negativity today about how close-minded they are. Yet it continues to amaze me that wherever I have encountered hurting and broken people, who do I find helping? Christian organizations. In Alabama. In Haiti. In Jordan and Lebanon. In Texas. In New York City. In Elkhart.
3. The astonishing solution for lifeâs problems: blood
Sometimes the symbols that God chooses make me want to laugh and cry all at once. From Abelâs offering to the Passover in Egypt, blood symbolized the most valuable kind of sacrifice. But I donât think anyone thought that God could love us so much He would demand the blood of his own Son. Which brings me to:
4. The unrivaled marriage of justice and love
Jesusâ death on the cross must be the most shocking and terrible of all Godâs creative plans. Not even the smartest, most powerful people of that time saw through Godâs master chess move on Calvary. Just as Satan thought he was moving in for a checkmate, God defeated his game with a quiet move of his King.
5. The power of the Word of God
Since making an effort to share Scripture with people on my street, I have rediscovered its surprising power to calm and soothe. In a house, trashed by cats and full of plastic baggies of brown powder. On a porch, beside a door with no handle. In my living room. Godâs Word remains potent when my words fail.
6. The ability to access God anywhere, anytime
Jesus, help me know what to do! This type of prayer is like lightning, and the answer of Godâs Spirit is like lightning. The flash of peace to the soul is unlike any other power I have ever experienced.
7. The hope of life beyond this life
What priceless promises we have from Jesus Christ about heaven and eternity! Can you imagine life without them?
Attacks on Christianity merely prove the Bible faithful yet again. Jesus said that his kingdom was not of this world, and that it would be attacked.
What a splendid, surprising Savior!
Happy Easter!
Katrina will be writing more articles for Ultimate Weekly Planner in the coming weeks but she also writes regularly on her own website. Subscribe to Katrina’s blog at KatrinaHooverLee.com.
