By looking at the cross the image that many perceive is that of suffering and difficulties - many would choose to run away from it rather than embrace it. Yet the person of faith is able to see beyond and recognize that the cross also points to the joy of the resurrection and the fullness of life that Jesus promises.

Yet we are often attracted to the neon lights that the world provides. "Ten minutes pleasure is a life long disaster" - yet, sometimes without thinking we get ourselves into all sorts of messes in our quest for pleasure rather than true happiness.

Isaiah reminds us not let our hearts sink to worldly things but stand by God. The daily miracles around us should lead us to repentance for surely they are a sign of God's presence, rather than persisting in the way that we stubbornly want for ourselves. Yet, we choose to ignore them or are so caught up in negative things that we are unable to see the action of God around us and in so doing are choosing death rather than life!

Today let us turn away from death and walk the path of new life with Christ Jesus.