Stepping Forward: Taking Up Your Cross and Walking in Faith
Life is a journey filled with milestones, moments that remind us of God’s faithfulness. In Joshua 4:6-7, we read about how the Israelites set up stones of remembrance after God miraculously parted the Jordan River. These stones weren’t just a record of God’s power but a testimony for future generations. They declared, “Here is where God showed up. Here is where He delivered us.”
In many ways, the last eight years have been our stones of remembrance. Each year, marked by stories of lives transformed, families restored, and communities impacted, is a testament to God’s goodness. As Psalm 126:3 says, “The Lord had done great things for us; we were joyful.”
But these stones don’t just remind us of what God has done—they point us to what He is still doing and will do.
Looking Back to Look Forward
Remembering God’s faithfulness fuels our faith for the future. Like the Israelites who crossed the Jordan, we are called to move forward into new territory. Yesterday’s victories serve as a foundation, but they are not the end of the story. They remind us that God’s power is limitless, and His promises endure.
Yet moving forward isn’t always easy. It requires us to let go of the comfort of the familiar and embrace the unknown. Jesus’s words in Luke 9:23 challenge us:
“If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
This call is not a one-time decision; it’s a daily choice to surrender our will, align our lives with God’s purpose, and trust Him completely.
Taking Up Your Cross
Taking up your cross is not a burden—it’s an invitation. It’s a call to step into the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10: “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” It means laying down self-centered desires and walking in obedience to God’s will.
When we take up our cross, we become participants in God’s redemptive work. We align our lives with His purpose, becoming vessels through which His love, grace, and truth flow. This act of surrender isn’t passive; it’s a bold declaration that we trust God to lead us, even when the path is unclear.
A Vision for the Future
The stones of remembrance remind us of God’s provision, but they also challenge us to dream bigger and trust Him for even greater things. God’s plans for our lives, our church, and our city are not confined to the past. As Ephesians 3:20-21 declares:
“Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Our faith journey is not about maintaining the status quo. It’s about stepping boldly into God’s vision for the future. As a church, we are called to make Jesus known in every corner of our city. We are called to take up our cross daily, reflecting His love and power to a world in need.
Walking Boldly
The journey ahead requires bold faith. In 2 Timothy 1:7, we are reminded: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”
Walking boldly means trusting God to equip us for the challenges ahead. It means speaking truth in love, serving others with grace, and living in a way that points people to Jesus. It’s about being unashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16) and proclaiming with our lives that Jesus is Lord.
Building the Future
The next chapter of our church journey will require each of us to take up our cross and follow Jesus with renewed commitment. It’s not about doing more but about being more—more surrendered, more courageous, and more faithful. Together, we will see God do above and beyond what we could ever imagine, not just in our church but throughout our city and beyond.
Let the stones of remembrance remind us of God’s faithfulness, and let the cross we carry propel us forward. The best days are ahead. The journey continues, and God is leading us every step of the way.
Are you ready to take up your cross and walk boldly into the future He has for you?
