Of all the pieces I have written, this one, for some reason, has been the most difficult. I was very conscious that Easter was fast approaching and our Magazine Editor would soon be 'knocking at my door'. It may seem strange but I didn't know where to start; the subject was obvious but my mind was a complete blank (not too difficult for me!). I even suggested that perhaps I might have a break from my contributions.... but I wasn't going to be let off the hook that easily!

Has there ever been anything which you knew you had to do; a specific task, someone to visit but there was something else you would prefer to do? So the excuses came but, one by one, these were dealt with until, in the end, you had no choice but to give in graciously and do what you knew you should be doing. I have discovered on many occasions that you can't manoeuvre God, so you might as well stop trying! One Sunday morning Pete had gone off to the Men's Breakfast. We weren't taking anyone, so I thought I would have a morning off from Church. I usually have a song going around in my head, so when I was awoken with the words, loud in my mind: 'Come, now is the time to worship', I really knew God was talking to me!

I really did feel, though, that writing this particular article was too hard. Then, very gently, God led me to my starting place - the Cross. He reminded me that if I thought my task was difficult, it was nothing compared to what Jesus did for me. Jesus went to the cross knowing He was completely innocent. He knew the indignity and the physical pain He would have to bear; He knew He would also know the pain of abandonment when He was separated from His Father.

As He prayed, He asked that, if possible, the cup might be taken away from Him but that God's will be done. God loved us so much that He allowed His Beloved Son to take our place. He knew that there was no other way for us to be reconciled with Him. It is asked, "How could God allow His only Son to die in such a terrible way for us; how could He allow His Son to die?" He could because Jesus is God. He was without sin and, because of that, He knew He must take our sin upon Himself and go willingly to that Cross. Our relationship with Him can only start at the cross as we recognise His sacrifice and accept His complete forgiveness.

We don't know how He bore it, but bore it He did, and rose again triumphant on the third day. Life throws heavy loads at us from time to time, and we long for these weights to be taken from us. Sometimes the load is lightened but more often than not we have to go through the dark times. We do so, though, in the knowledge that we are not on our own; that Jesus has been there before us and will walk with us. He will bring us through those times to our own resurrection.