A wooden Cross overlooks a river in wild, wonderful West Virginia. (photo Penny Mingee Crawford)
Not long ago, I published a blog featuring a Cross in the early morning darkness by the sea facing the early rising sun. I used it to write about the significance of the Cross in what it means and represents to the Christian faith. In the Cross shown here overlooking a river and gorge in rugged, empty West Virginia territory, I can't avoid the question: How did the Cross get here and why this location?
The Cross was, of course, placed here by someone or a group based upon belief in Christ as the Savior. It was a way of expressing their faith in a manner they hope will attract the attention of others and positively impact their hearts. It is indeed a powerful symbol and easily recognized, even by those who hate it, for despite so much adversity and violence worldwide against the faithful, they just can't shut Christians down. And if you notice closely, there is a road which follows the river on the other side which is likely the location from which it will be seen. So, in this case, the Cross at the top of the the gorge by the river is a means of serving God's mission to take the faith to others wherever they might be. Candidly, I write this blog almost daily in hopes that it will do the same, for we never know when we might find a searching heart and the outreach is something expected of the faithful, all of us.
As I ponder these things, I am also drawn to the issue of those who want to silence the faith and try and make it so difficult to speak openly and honestly the way our society is supposed to function. Why are they so fearful that they want to silence us? Well, sadly, it's an easy answer. It's because they know that those who really believe have the power of being secure in themselves and being at peace. It's something that no other belief can provide as the fear of mortality is always there, growing stronger as we get closer to its likelihood. The truly faithful don't have that issue, for we understand that life on earth is just a very short phase on the continuum of eternity and when this life is done, we have the joy and excitement of going home to live in Glory forever with God and His blessed Son.
If only those who scorn and belittle could only understand what the key to the Kingdom is, the future would be just as bright for them as well. And that, my friends, is what that Cross above the river is for. It is there with the hope that someone who is lost will see it, think about it, seek more information and ultimately open their heart to it. Opening the heart to the Holy Spirit within us is the first step to making the connection to Jesus Christ, our mediator with God, who, upon our rebirth and the glorious change that makes in us. The result is admission and permanence in the Kingdom of God. There can be nothing better that can happen to us and it's all through His forgiveness, His love and His grace.
My thanks to Penny Mingee Crawford for giving me her blessing to use the picture.
The Cross was, of course, placed here by someone or a group based upon belief in Christ as the Savior. It was a way of expressing their faith in a manner they hope will attract the attention of others and positively impact their hearts. It is indeed a powerful symbol and easily recognized, even by those who hate it, for despite so much adversity and violence worldwide against the faithful, they just can't shut Christians down. And if you notice closely, there is a road which follows the river on the other side which is likely the location from which it will be seen. So, in this case, the Cross at the top of the the gorge by the river is a means of serving God's mission to take the faith to others wherever they might be. Candidly, I write this blog almost daily in hopes that it will do the same, for we never know when we might find a searching heart and the outreach is something expected of the faithful, all of us.
As I ponder these things, I am also drawn to the issue of those who want to silence the faith and try and make it so difficult to speak openly and honestly the way our society is supposed to function. Why are they so fearful that they want to silence us? Well, sadly, it's an easy answer. It's because they know that those who really believe have the power of being secure in themselves and being at peace. It's something that no other belief can provide as the fear of mortality is always there, growing stronger as we get closer to its likelihood. The truly faithful don't have that issue, for we understand that life on earth is just a very short phase on the continuum of eternity and when this life is done, we have the joy and excitement of going home to live in Glory forever with God and His blessed Son.
If only those who scorn and belittle could only understand what the key to the Kingdom is, the future would be just as bright for them as well. And that, my friends, is what that Cross above the river is for. It is there with the hope that someone who is lost will see it, think about it, seek more information and ultimately open their heart to it. Opening the heart to the Holy Spirit within us is the first step to making the connection to Jesus Christ, our mediator with God, who, upon our rebirth and the glorious change that makes in us. The result is admission and permanence in the Kingdom of God. There can be nothing better that can happen to us and it's all through His forgiveness, His love and His grace.
My thanks to Penny Mingee Crawford for giving me her blessing to use the picture.
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