Starting Point (10/30/02)
This study starts with a thought that came during the reading of Charlie Peacock's "At the Crossroads". At that point, the time was not right to dig into the subject in depth, but I had put down what I could quickly capture of that thought. This is what I am taking as my starting point, although I will be trying hard to ensure that it is not taken as an unshakable presupposition. So, without too much reworking, here's the thought that has lead to this particular pursuit.
The cross cannot be the focus of our attention. He is not there. He is seated upon the throne in heaven. We are called to carry the cross. It is a burden to be born on our back. If we have picked it up to carry, it cannot remain before our eyes. Our eyes ought to be ever on Him Who sits on the throne.
The cross also represents the road we are to walk, not only in that it signifies the Savior whom we seek to imitate in our daily lives, but also in the nature of the road. Each moment of our lives, we stand at the crossroads. Each moment of our lives, there are decisions we must make. Each decision is crucial, for each decision both determines and is determined by the character of our lives. [In reading this, it strikes me as interesting that the very word describing the critical importance of our decisions is derived from the Latin root of "crux" or cross. This seems rather key.]
As disciples of Christ, our decisions ought to be intentional, our decisions ought to be aimed at drawing closer to Him. If we are to choose rightly in these moments of decision, our eyes must be fixed on the throne, and more importantly, on Him whose throne it is. If our eyes are on that goal He has set before us, we won't take the wrong turn at the crossroads. We will continue straight towards our goal, carrying the burden of His cross, the burden He has told us is light. It will probably never seem light to us, but we don't walk by sight and senses. We walk by faith in Him who has told us that it is light. It will probably never seem light to us in this lifetime, but when we have attained to an eternal perspective, we will see it as Paul saw it: not worthy of comparison to that glory into which we have journeyed!
So. This is the starting point. This was the flash of insight that hit me as I sat in church one morning. As I begin to look further into this topic, there are a number of interesting asides that come to mind, some of which are already contained here, and others that are striking me as I write. The next section of this effort will simply list those points, hopefully well enough to trigger my thoughts again later, when and if such side topics appear to fit.
Points to Consider: (10/30/02)
As I noted, these are simply points that bear further consideration as I dig further in. I'll not be pursuing them at this point, but will to return to them as seems reasonable in the course of this study.
Has the Cross Become an Idol?
Remember the staff in the wilderness? What started out under God's direction was warped by fallen man. The answer became a trap. Has it done so again?
The Crossroads
Cross and crossroads are connected thoughts. Pursue the connection.
Crux->Crucis->Crucible
There are a number of words in the English language that draw from the Latin root of 'crux,' not least of which is 'crux.' Some of these words seem particularly pertinent to the topic at hand. Crux is one. Crucis (crisis) is another. Crucible is yet another place where the linguistic linkage may provide spiritually useful insight.
Crux->Crucis->Crucial
Here again, it seems that the final word, crucial, might shed some interesting light on the subject at hand.
