There are many things I'm passionate about, and many things that frustrate me.
The worst combination is when I get frustrated about things I love.
As sad as it is, we are people that are often consumed by image.
Whether we like to admit or not, and as hard as we try not to be... it happens.
Who has the most Northface jackets?
Who has the newest TOMS?
Who has the latest Apple product?
In this blog last month, I mentioned how as followers, we should carry the name of Jesus everywhere. I thought about that, carrying His name, last night as I saw a table full of girls that had bedazzled, decorated, colored, fancy crosses on their shirts, jewelry, and bags.
What I really thought about, was their relationship with Christ. Not in a judgmental way, but in a curious way - if they know what the crosses they're wearing stand for and represent. I sadly think that some people think of the cross like they do hearts and flowers: decorative. I'm not saying that wearing the cross or having it anywhere on your stuff is wrong - I have necklaces, NOTW shirts are cool, there's nothing bad in and of itself with wearing the cross. I just wish more people would respect it and acknowledge it's meaning.
I fear that the cross has lost it's meaning, it's sacredness and value. The cross (and the word "Christian") means nothing to a lot of people these days. It's seen as just another ordinary symbol or picture. We don't look at the cross as a place of love, redemption and grace. The cross has or is becoming another status symbol and label.
It's frustrating to me when people who in one way or another wear a cross, and shame or blaspheme it by their words and actions - and I've been guilty of this. The cross carries a heavy meaning; it and the call it has on our lives should not be taken lightly.
great thoughts. I agree that the cross is beginning to lose its meaning, however it is up the the people who truly understand the meaning to get out thaere and make a change.
ReplyDeleteYou know that is soooo true! I was watching a pretty decent sitcom awhile back. It has never had anything risk-ay on it in the past, but this night the lead character who had never before talked about her "faith" was wearing a huge cross necklace (which seems nice) except way out of character for this show she was having a one night stand, and shown specifically wearing that cross around her neck only during this short scene. No words were said, but it was still in my opinion a huge mockery of Jesus and made me so angry!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who always says you should be able to SEE Jesus in/on a person without having to wear a t-shirt or cross to "prove" any of it. This saying is so true, "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than sitting in a garage makes you a car."
Saturation of Jesus should show without any mention of His name, but is seen in action and deed. :)