By: Gabriela Yareliz
Today, as many Christians around the world, I spent time deeply reflecting on the cross. It always brings tears to my eyes, not because of its darkness, its gory nature or the subject of death. None of these things alone are what compels a deep surge of emotion in me.
To me, it’s simply the love. When one experiences the deepest of wounds available in this human flesh— things like betrayal, abandonment, neglect and instability— one knows what it’s like to be shattered. Truly shattered. And in Jesus’ walk to Golgotha with His cross, I see a God whose love for me was so deep that He picked up every single shattered piece of my heart along the way. He did this for me. He loves me. And this knowledge has made it clear to me that in the end, it doesn’t matter what I face in this life, who likes me or doesn’t, or what I may think I have need of— it doesn’t matter because He loves me.
Love is an action, and God illustrated it because that is who He is. He embodies love. Love rescues us from the pits of our own hell. Love is so powerful that it tears us up inside when it arrives. It cuts us to heal us. When we experience the depth of love, we can never be the same.
I sit on this Good Friday, and watch the movie of my own life, up until this point. I see a love that has never let go of me. It moves me deeply because it has made me whole.
What faith in Jesus means to me, isn’t always easy for me to explain. If you have a couple hours, I would tell you significant details in my life. It’s something deep in my bones. A conviction that can’t be removed. A truth that impacts every aspect of my life. A shelter from the storm that is this life.
The cross to me is a symbol of being whole. My relationship with God is whole, and all gaps have been bridged. Because of Jesus. My heart is whole; all pieces were seen, found and loved. Because of Jesus.
Complete.
GABRIELA YARELIZ 