Life is nothing but a journey. A one foot in front of the other endeavor that leads us down familiar and sometimes not so familiar paths. Choices guide our steps toward certainty as we focus on God or doubt when we believe we can find the way on our own.

I write about pathways and our steps to get from here to there frequently. If you have visited here before, you might sense a common thread of words weaving through the paragraphs to come. But, even though the outline rings true, the lesson is one that is just now forming and making its way to the surface.

This week, we pause, as we make our way to the cross. The hope and joy we embraced as creation sang its song on the way to the cross looks very different. The story that gloriously began its ascent into our hearts takes a sudden turn when God creates man and woman.

If you have read Genesis 1, you gain a picture of God’s delight as He makes the heavens and earth and all it contains. And in order for the story to be complete, God creates man and woman. The story takes a turn quickly just as the Author planned.

Because of free will, Adam and Eve chose to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge and nothing was the same. Shame, disappointment, pride, and a host of other sins entered the world. Immediately, Adam and Eve cover themselves and hide from God. Creation became the Fall because of one choice and the pathway that was marked with rejoicing became pockmarked with bad decisions.

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:8-9

The path to the cross not only begins with creation, but continues to where Adam and Eve embraced darkness, mistakenly believing it would lead them to the Light. The story does not end with the Fall. In the confusion and wish to remain hidden, Adam and Eve hear God call out, “Where are you?” When we find ourselves astray and veering in the wrong direction, God is calling for us too.

We are never left alone. We may choose to hide because shame overwhelms us, but God chooses to be with us even in our mistakes. This is the gift of grace and mercy. The God who created Earth and who also lovingly wrote man and woman into the story of creation, knows everything about us and still loves us.

This is what God declares over all of His children:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43:1-3

God will choose us over and over and fight for us just because He is God. The path to the cross still ends with the sacrifice of Jesus. When our own journey is cloudy and the road ahead is not clear, the end still remains certain. The cross awaits Jesus’s arrival and stands strong as a beacon for our own lives.

What I know is that we all must fall before we can live. It is in the Fall, with our face buried in the dust of the footsteps of Jesus, that we see the reflection of what Jesus sees in us.

Here are some lessons learned on the way to the cross:

God’s creation is a foundation. It is a beginning like no other. A majestic breakthrough into new life for all. But as creation reveals itself, there is darkness lurking ready to pounce.

What is all light and glory shows faint shadows. It is part of the mystery and beauty of creation. In the reveal, man and woman make a choice and darkness sweeps in. Sin rears its head and nothing is the same.

The walk to the cross begins with creation and continues with the Fall. The promise is still strong and true: Jesus died for you and me and wiped away our sin. The victory is won and our walk to the cross ends with Jesus as we choose Him time and time again.

In the Fall, with our face buried in the dust of the footsteps of Jesus, we see the reflection of what Jesus sees in us. #TellHisStory Share on X

Today we continue our walk to the cross. Let’s rest in the promise that Jesus is still waiting for us. Together we can walk in gratitude that Jesus’s sacrificial love saved you and me.

Blessings,

#TellHisStory Link Up
 
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters.
 
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