The ground into which the cross was dropped on that hill outside Jerusalem was hard, rocky and unyielding. The cross was planted in that dry ground and watered with blood. It then rooted (figuratively speaking) and became the tree of life to all those who believe.

The work of the cross in our lives is to produce reckless, uncompromising love for the God who did that for us. It breaks up the stony ground of our hearts, sends roots of love throughout our being and begets a new creation, a son or daughter of God destined to be with our God for eternity.

Jesus said that a slave doesn’t remain in the house forever but a son does (John 8:35). If you are a slave to some addiction or someone other than God then let the work of the cross set you free to love as you were created to love: besotted, fanatical, possessed and obsessed with Jesus. Your addiction is a symptom of the type of person you were created to be. That type of person.