The crosses we bear

A table set for quiet reflection

Several times during this morning's service, I thought to myself, "I've got to talk about that later..."  And now 12hrs later, the themes are still rolling around in my mind. I will do my best to make sense of them as concisely as possible.

The first came as part of Marjorie's sermon.  It was a children's sermon about crosses and the message was that we should try to see the world through the cross--to see the world and one another as Jesus does--with compassion and love.

The second, and perhaps more striking moment came during bible study. [note:  I grew up Catholic--there was no such thing as bible study, in fact reading the bible was something you did as a punishment.  Sure, there was lots of religious education (I know a lot about what the Church wanted me to know), but never dialogue and room for interpretation--so, this was all new].  We took various translations of Mark 8:31-38 and compared them, identifying what in each interpretation spoke to us.  Basically, what is being asked of us in this passage, is that you have to give it up to God--He is in "the driver's seat"--as one version put it--and goes on to ask what good is it to have everything in life, but lose your soul?  This made me think of my parents.  The conversation I'd had with my mother earlier in the week.  Authenticity. Materialism. 


We all have crosses to bear, and it is in bearing them with strength,and taking that leap of faith, that He truly is in control, we become closer to God.   Mine are different than yours, yet we find ourselves in the same place, just traveled another path.  Admittedly, I have trouble giving up control.  Perhaps this is part of the reason, I do not feel His presence--I am fighting too hard against Him, my faith is too week.

The photograph shows a candle lit in the center of the table, the candle sits on top of a stone (God is our rock), there are broken pieces of pottery representing the ourselves, broken and worn (scraps of burlap), as we make our way to God.