Pray a-Cross Missouri (Part Two)

If you haven’t had a chance to read the first part of this article, you may do so by clicking here.

As I write this, the cross is leaving Jefferson City, our state capital. Its journey is about half done.

The journey is to remind Christians to share the message of Christ with their neighbors, with the goal that everyone in Missouri would hear of God’s grace and forgiveness. For more information about the Prayer Walk a-Cross Missouri, I encourage you to visit http://www.crossacrossmo.org/.

Days after carrying the cross, men from our church are still reflecting on their experience. As I mentioned above, the purpose of carrying the cross is to motivate others to share the news of Christ. However, the most profound impact may be on those who actually carry it. Jerry shares that those who carry the cross have a time of “intense focus on Jesus.” It is a meditational – rather than magical – experience. He asks, “Can anyone really ever survey the wondrous cross and come away the same?” When you look inward and realize your own depravity and then look to the true bloody cross on which Jesus’ beaten body hung, you realize that “the extreme ugliness of our sin required a radically ugly, yet still beautiful, response from God.”

Seeing this experience from different points, I have a few thoughts of my own.

Jerry and Jayme’s journey was long but it was nice weather and a comfortable day. Jimmy’s journey was short but full of storms. Our Christian walk is a lot the same way. Some of us carry our spiritual crosses a long time whereas others only have a short time before their earthly journey ends. Some have a comfortable walk whereas constant storms beat down on others. We all carry the cross Christ gives us. It doesn’t matter how long or how severe the journey, what matters is that we travel it with Him.

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace (Acts 20:24).

My other thought concerned all the traffic passing by. As Jayme mentioned, many honked and waved. Jimmy said one man stopped. He had passed them a few times as he drove back and forth to work each day. He shared that seeing the cross each time made him take a moment to focus on God and the important spot He holds in our lives. Then he gave each of them a hug.

Some people sped by without even noticing the cross.

Other people glanced, wondering, “What’s that all about?”

Cars flung rocks on the walkers while others sprayed puddles as the rain beat down.

For some it made them take a moment and consider Jesus’ death on a cross 2,000 years ago.

This weekend we somberly reflect on Christ’s crucifixion and joyously celebrate His resurrection. As we go through this holy time of the year, I hope each of us reflect on our own need for a Savior, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NIV).