a rider on horseback racing away down a forest path

Psalm 51:1-12; Isaiah 30:15-18; Hebrews 4:1-13

GOD, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me— The very thing you’ve been unwilling to do. You’ve said, ‘No way! We’ll rush off on horseback!’ You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough! You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’ Do you think your pursuers ride old nags? Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker. Before a mere five you’ll all run off. There’ll be nothing left of you— a flagpole on a hill with no flag, a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off. But GOD’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you. GOD takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.” (Isaiah 30:15-18m The Message)
This makes me think of how so many in the Christian world today are looking elsewhere for their salvation.

So many of us are looking to trust in politicians and power to “save us from the world.” Yet, that’s not what we are called to do. No, we are called to trust in the Christ of Calvary.

What a ridiculous and outdated notion, right? To trust in a dying Christ. To trust in one who willingly chooses the path of death and weakness and apparent failure?

This Christ calls us to likewise take up our cross and follow him.

This Christ that willingly eschewed the power of this world and instead empty himself to become a servant.

This Christ that chose the way of self-sacrifice for the sake of redemption, reconciliation, and restoration.

What will I clamor after?

Oh, that I would choose the way of the Christ of Calvary and not the power that corrupts.