Merciful Metamorphosis (or This Cross We Bear)

Without complete surrender we grapple

at times with the goodness of God's higher thoughts and ways!

Oh, may we pray to be like Abraham of old...

Romans 4:19-21,

"And being not weak in faith, he (Abraham) considered not his own body

 now dead when he was about a hundred years old, 

neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb. 

He staggered not at the promises of God; through unbelief;

 but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.

This cross we bear of constant care,

Of disciple-obedience

Of hurt and hope’s heart-hungry prayer

Of conscientious diligence

Of yielding Self’s determined will

And forsaking the world for Christ

To suffer for His sake until

Every idol is sacrificed…

…of walking as children of light

Living the way that Jesus did

(For we are precious in the sight

Of He from whom nothing is hid)

…of proving what is pleasing to

The One who gave His best for we

Cursed with the blight of Eden’s rue

Who benefit from Calvary

Our cross of care pales when compared

To the cross on Golgotha’s hill

Then pray no suffering is spared

Until love works its miracle

And He who sees the heart beholds

Refinement’s glory taking place

As beneath life’s cross God unfolds

Awestruck awareness of His grace

© Janet Martin

Eph.5:6-11

Let no one deceive you with empty words,

for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

7Therefore do not be partakers with them.

8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Walk as children of light

9(for the fruit of the [b]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

10finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,

but rather [c]expose them.

Beneath the Cross of Jesus...

Beneath the Cross (version 2)