Isn't it amazing the extents we will go for the people and things we love in life?
Roses have always been one of my favorite flowers. As beautiful as they are their thorns are so painful. I was working outside in my yard yesterday. I was cutting and wrapping chicken wire around the bottom of some of the bushes. Hopefully, they will grow like pretty bouquets. Needless to say between the thorns and the wire my hands, arms and legs ended up looking like I'd been beaten with a cat of nine tails; blood dripped everywhere.
While I was out front, a group of teenagers walked by. I over heard one of them make a comment about how much it must hurt. I grinned and said, "Yes, you have to love flowers very much to do this. Imagine how much Jesus loved you as He died for you. This is nothing compared to His pain."
While He was on the cross was He thinking about how beautiful your life would be because of His love? I'm sure He was. Passion will always exceed suffering especially if it's long term worth out weighs temporary pain. Happy hearts, joyful souls and so many lives with a purpose for God exists today all because Jesus loved you beyond life and death. His sinless life, and sacrificial death for you is the only bridge to God the Father and eternal life.
"and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." 1 Peter 2:24 &25 (NASB)
Don't fear the death of your mortal body, it simply is the vessel that your soul (the real you lives in.) Give your heart and soul to Jesus, accept Him as your Personal Savior and Lord, so that you can enjoy heaven with the only one who will grant you eternal life.
