Let it Die
I don’t remember every sermon that I’ve ever heard preached, but there are just some that resonated with my heart and have remained etched in the very corners of my soul.
Several years ago my Assistant Pastor, Brian Baer preached a message called, “You Bring Your Standard Up Here!” He emphasized that as Christians we can’t afford to lower our standards, no matter how small or trifle the compromise may be. He also preached a message called, “Beyond, Beyond,” reminding my congregation of the Bible verse, Ephesians 3:20 and how God still makes the impossible, possible.
My pastor Cal Ray Evans has preached some amazing messages that have been such an encouragement to me on my journey as well. A couple of years ago he gave our church a sermon entitled, “Let the Redeemed of the LORD say So!” He challenged all of us to stand boldly and proclaim, “SO,” anytime Satan would remind us of our past or fight us because we are the LORD’s redeemed and nothing the enemy of our soul can say or do can change that.
Last Sunday, Pastor Cal preached another sermon that will stay with me forever. His message was called, “Let it Die,” and he encouraged our flock whatever burdens we are carrying to let them die, so Christ can resurrect us and give us beauty from ashes. He taught us that Christ didn’t carry His cross forever and we don’t have too either.
This really touched my heart and made me think about the biggest burden I’ve ever had to carry. What might surprise you is it’s not what I’ve gone through medically, but it’s what I’ve gone through spiritually. Four years and a half years ago the devil launched an all scale attack on me. I’ve had never experienced spiritual warfare before and here I was right in the heat of the battle. For almost a year I felt the enemy breathing down my neck. The fear and panic I felt just about suffocated me. I pretty much lived at the altar, slept with my Bible, I would walk the house declaring the devil couldn’t have me, I was a child of the King, and I filled my bedroom with scripture and miracles God had performed on my behalf.
It’s a season of life I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. My disease had been a walk in the park compared to this battle. But eventually, I learned to fight without wilting and wringing my hands, thinking, “What’s Satan going to do next?” This is what I’ve done the past four and half years— fight and live my life with joy because that’s the very thing Satan will never take away from me. But after Pastor Cal’s message, the thought came to my mind, have I truly let the burden of this cross die? I’m not sure I have and I think God confirmed this thought by the verse in my daily Bible app that very Sunday- Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1.
I’ve pondered Pastor Cal’s message and this Bible verse this week and I’ve wondered what makes us hold onto our burdens, not letting them die? I believe it’s for two reasons. One, we almost believe that it’s too good to be true for something that entangled us so much to completely disappear. Two, we don’t think we deserve to be made free from this cross we bear. There are so many factors that lead to these reasons— feeling ashamed, embarrassed, or even fear if we let this cross die will one even heavier take its place?
Whatever the case may be those reasons and factors are real and valid. However, if we don’t have to live bearing these crosses, we shouldn’t because that’s exactly what Christ intended when He died on the cross. I’m not saying it’s easy to let it die because it’s not—I’ve bared this cross off and on for four and half years, but Galatians 5:1 says I don’t have too and I’m determined it will die. So I’m going keep climbing this mountain until I’ve reached the top because I’m MORE than any mountain that stands before me and I know God has so many good and perfect gifts for me.
If you’re baring a cross today, my advice to you is to let it die just as my pastor preached and because the Bible tells us we can and we should. It might not happen overnight, but determine in your heart that God has bigger and better things for you, He has beauty to replace your ashes, and He wants to replace your cross with victories.
