Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. He is the Messiah and the Son of the living God. God revealed these things to me from my first breath as a baby in a 6-room coal miner’s hospital in Frostburg, Maryland through today as I sit at my dining room table writing this blog in Shawano, Wisconsin. We are surrounded by the awesome power of God, and His Son abides in everything I do.
When Jesus spoke to Peter in Matthew 16, He said that Peter would build His church, and he would be its rock. Not even the gates of Hades would bring it down. Jesus would give the keys of the kingdom of heaven to Peter, and whatever Peter built on earth would be built in heaven. Whatever congregations Peter grew on the earth would be offered eternal life in heaven.
I believe I am a part of that rock here on earth. I bring my failures, apathy, anger, and hatred to the Rock of my salvation. I bring my good parts and my bad, and I ask God to forgive my transgressions. I ask forgiveness of my thoughts, my words, and my deeds, and I hope for good health and healing. And when I’m alone, I pray that Christ will continue to walk beside me and comfort me as the years pass.
The rock of Peter, the church of Christ, has many members, but not all members have the same duties. We are one body in Christ, and we are members of one another individually. We are each given gifts, talents, that differ according to the grace given us. Some prophets share their faith; some minister to various ministerial duties. Some teach; some are generous in giving. Some are diligent leaders, while some are cheerfully compassionate. As we use these gifts and many more not mentioned here, we help build the rock of Peter, the church of Christ, and the eternal home of God.
Whom do I say Christ is? He is everything and everyone I am a part of. He is God’s beloved Son who came as a child in a manger and who died on a bloody cross to save me and all who believe from our sins. He knocks at the door of my heart and opens my soul to eternal life. Because He lives, I can see a beautiful tomorrow here and in heaven.
Anna Hartt
