Station 3
Jesus, the dependable, falls
Whenever my dad asked me for help around the house as a kid, I would help, but I knew that my dad did 90% of the work. I felt weak and useless but loved knowing that my father wanted to be with me as he worked.
Within the last few years, I have been going to the gym and working out, exceeding strengths that I could never have pictured for myself. So now when my dad asks for help around the house, I have been really happy to help him lift the mattresses, ladders, whatever is needed. It gives me great joy to know that I can contribute my share to the weight, to be useful.
Similar to my dad, I have known Jesus to be someone who is dependable, humble, and strong. Whenever I am going through a tough time, I could always rely on Jesus to lift my spirit up. Whenever I feel like giving up, Jesus tells me to persevere.
Imagining Jesus falling brings me great sadness because I can’t help someone who has been there for me all my life. Even though I am physically strong now, the cross that Jesus was bearing was heavier than just the wood. It was the weight of all our sins, my sins. And that is something that can only be carried with the help of Jesus. Despite the heaviness of this cross, Jesus arose and persevered, giving hope to me and all the world.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, may I persevere in carrying my cross, knowing that you are bearing the cross with me every step of my life. May I grow to understand that carrying this cross will not lead to my death, but to abundant life, joy, and hope.
Romans 5:3-5
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Dan Nguyen [Northeast]