How can I make Jesus' sacrifice beautiful?

Every year in worship, the children of the church are given a bud to flower the cross on Easter. It is so innocent, endearing, and beautiful. Today, in the wake of Easter, I am wondering, "How can I flower the cross every day in my heart?"

How can I make Jesus' sacrifice beautiful through the story of my life?

I came across a powerful answer to this question recently.

I was blessed to have Sally Lloyd-Jones on my show. Sally is the New York Times bestselling children's book author of the Jesus Storybook Bible. She shared a challenge from Pope Francis this Easter on Instagram. For Lent, he proposed eight suggestions for fasting:

1. Fast from hurting words and speak kind words.

2. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

3. Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

4. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

5. Fast from worries and have trust in God.

6. Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

7. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.

8. Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Can you imagine what the world would look like if every believer lived into these suggestions the whole year through? 

Could this be the healing balm the world—and church—so desperately needs?

Pastor Joel Osteen says that he wants to be known for what he's "for" rather than what he's "against" as a Christian. He says Christians too often are associated only with the latter. 

I am FOR flowering the cross in my heart through these suggestions. I am FOR new life that I can bring to the cross through my actions for God's glory. 

Does something on Pope Francis' list especially resonate with you? Pray over the list and adopt one. Together, let's plant seeds of faith through our actions that God will surely grow!

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Thanks for reading! For more inspiration, you can watch my interview with Sally Lloyd-Jones here.