The Weekly Word: Include the cross in your summer plans

By the Rev. Daniel Larson, Pastor, Cross Lutheran Church, Charles City

Summer is almost upon us! Our minds now turn to vacations, cookouts, camping trips and fun in the sun. We look forward to the best of times. But do these best of times bring out the best in us?

Sometimes, the easier we have it in life, the harder it is for us to deal with it. We might think of the child wearing Mickey Mouse ears having a meltdown at the amusement park. Do you see? Our optimism and good mood don’t always last very long, do they?

We get so impatient and annoyed at the smallest of problems: a misspelled name; the server gave you the wrong order at the coffee shop; someone cut you off in traffic, and so on. And you think you shouldn’t have to put up with it.

Oh, if this were a perfect world, you wouldn’t have to put up with it; you would simply overlook it with grace and patience in your heart.

But where does an attitude like that come from? It comes from heaven. It is Christ living in you that does it. Pure grace comes from Him.

Wherever we may find true grace and forgiveness in this world, we know that Jesus is at work, supplying His kindness and mercy to the situation. And with His love and mercy, Jesus is also disciplining His children in all their experiences in life.

This is why, even during our cookouts and vacations this summer, we must still experience various troubles and problems that come our way.

Remember what Jesus said: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34).

He says this, not because He wants to see us suffer or because He doesn’t want us to have any fun. It is because God would not want anyone to live without the cross of Christ in their life.

You see, the cross is disciplining us in the faith. It is a sign of God’s love for us. It means that God is not willing to leave us to die in our sins.

But, where do we find Christ’s cross? We find it wherever we suffer in our everyday contacts with people; when we find it hard to cope.

We find the cross in various problems that arise in our homes, churches, schools; and in our struggling relationships with one another. This is when we may begin to pray, because the cross finds us in all of our troubles, sicknesses, tragedies and problems that occur in our lives.

Whenever it teaches us that we are sinful and coming up short in life, the cross is doing its work, preparing us for Christ’s call to us, as He says: “Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).

Understanding this, you can plan for a more enjoyable, restful and blessed summer. Just remember to include the cross in your summer plans!

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To help you enjoy a more blessed summer, you are invited to worship with us at Cross Lutheran Church every Sunday at our 9:30 a.m. service. Everyone is welcome to join us in the faith of Christ!