While pondering which direction to take as it relates to writing about the cross and Christ's resurrection I began to evaluate my life, past and present. I asked the question, "Have I ever been so passionate about something that I was willing to sacrifice my life for it? Have I ever had a great depth of love for someone that I was willing to lay down my life for them without looking for that same measure in return?"

Once again, I must parallel this to the marital relationship. After my divorce I remember talking to someone who was recently engaged. They wanted some advice and the thing that came to me was, "Honey, get ready to nail yourself to that cross." (HA!)

The cross is a testament of God's inexhaustible love for us as well as Christ's bounty and triumph over death and the grave. Such an act merits an unimaginable indebted return, yet all He asked for was the bare minimum. I can't help but think that He really let us off the hook and I believe Paul felt the same way. In Romans 12: 1 he earnestly request that we present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is the least we could do considering what Christ had done for us.

This ultimate selfless and in-compensate-able act (I'm like my Pastor, I make up my own words) is symbolic of transformation, dying to self and finding life in Christ and taking on a new existence. Galatians 2:20 states this: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ continues to live in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

I often favor The Message version of that passage, which states is this way: "Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Christ walked in love. His walk of love ultimately led Him to the cross. Just as Christ loved, let us remember to walk in love which will ultimately lead us to the cross. The crucifying of our own wills, wants, plans, thoughts and desires. Our life is not our own, let us not forget the one who was on that cross.

Let us be reminded of that empty tomb and remember to live victoriously because we have been granted that same victory.

Latrice A. Pace, longtime member of Gospel group, The Pace Sisters. Featured in Tyler Perry's What's Done In The Dark, Latrice is currently appearing in the stage musical play, Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel. *Latrice Pace is a 2009 StreamingFaith.com Guest Columnist.

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