So first off I wanted to say sorry for being so late in posting this week! Sticky fingers, my 17month old daughter decided to get involved with my laptop and only one survived the encounter. Although I am pleased it was her, I am saddened for my laptop and my ticket to the internet.
I have been thinking a lot lately of the symbol of the cross and of course the triquetra. Two symbols of the church and of the trinity. Two symbols that even those who don't attend church tend to like. Especially the triquetra which can be scene tattooed on many people who feel spiritual but not religious. So what is it about these symbols that makes us want to wear them, tattoo them and enjoy them?
I entitled this "Talisman," because a talisman is an object that is given special powers - like a lucky rabbits foot or in many cases the cross. But does the trinity symbol or the cross hold special powers for the person in possession of it? Should it?
I believe that we are getting close to misusing these Christian symbols to be more then just reminders of our faith or of the sacrifice of Christ. They are becoming talisman and are believed to hold a special power for those wearing it. Either we believe they ward off super natural beings - of course vampires are afraid of those possessing a cross! Or they bring you protection from our God.
My clear rant this week is this: we are as a society reducing Christianity to a God who if on your side will grant your every wish and who if not on your side will show you hellish wrath. We are reducing our faith to a faith that gives to us everything we ask and have reduced the very images of the empty cross to a power symbol for God's favor. This is just crazy! The only power the cross yields is the reminder of the amazing power of FORGIVENESS a gift given by Christ.
So, let us rethink our imagery and what it is saying about how and what we believe. Let us be reminded this week that the Cross is more then a lucky rabbits foot and that God does not grant every one's wish. That God isn't living into our every will but instead we are living into GOD's will!
Let us realize that no life - even that life lived by a Christian, is perfect. For life is MESSY. God isn't there to grant wishes or make a fairy tale ending for us. Heck, even the Good News of Jesus Christ isn't a fairy tale is it? But instead, we have a God who cared so much about us that he sent his son - the HOLY has offered forgiveness and grace instead of fear and anger. The Holy has offered us life over death. The Holy has offered a constant loving presence in our times of trouble and someone to walk along life's messy road with. God is not offering the fairy tale or giving over special protection or power to those who believe. God is offering MUCH more then that - the Sustainer is offering a NEW LIFE.
So let the cross, the triquetra or whatever Christian symbol you want bring to you reminder of new life - bring to you transformation in the sight of forgiveness and love where there is none. Let the special power not come from the idolatry of a wish-giving God but from the power of grace!
