Easter reflection: The cross through my daily life

As Easter approaches, many of us reflect on the significance of the cross and what it means in our daily lives.

For Christians, the cross represents the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to save humanity from sin and death.

But how does this ancient symbol of faith impact our daily lives in the modern world?

In this article, I will share my personal reflections on the cross, especially in Easter times and how it has influenced my thoughts, actions, and relationships.

Whether you are a believer or simply curious about the role of the cross in today’s society, I invite you to join me in this exploration of faith and spirituality.

First of all I must say The cross means victory to me.

I will begin by sharing a short story from the small town called Široki Brijeg where not a single divorce has ever been recorded.

As the couple approach the altar they carry a crucifix. The priest then says: “You have found your cross. And it is a cross to be loved. To be carried. A cross not to be thrown away. But to be cherished.” He will then bless the cross.

When the couple goes to exchange their vows they each have their right hands on the cross.

As if to entwine Christ into their marriage. They then say their vows and kiss Christ on the cross, before kissing each other. After all it is from Him that their love emanates.

The couple then take their crucifix home. They hang it up as a constant reminder that Christ is the source of inspiration in their marriage. Especially when times get tough.

When Jesus took up the cross, He bore all our infirmities on it. Spiritually, the cross is light but what
I lay on it makes it so heavy that I prefer to do away with it.

Take an example of an empty jerrycan, it is light and any one can swing it in their arms. But when the jerrycan is filled with it a substance, it then gains weight. One will need an extra effort to shift it.

But take a close look at the empty jerry can and a filled one. The same person who loads the jerry can is the same person who unloads the jerry can.

So it all incumbent on how an individual looks at the cross. His/her acts can lead him into loading his/her cross or rather lead him into unloading his/her cross.

When loaded, the cross is heavy but when unloaded, the cross is light. Take another closer look at the cross in the loaded state. What load is on the cross and how does it impact your life? One may ask.

As stated at the beginning, the cross is victory. If the jerry can is containing a valuable substance, even if it needed an extra effort to carry, one will find it no excuse to apply the extra effort into lifting it since it is his own gain.

Similarly the weight on the cross should be valuable. So that we find it a necessity to apply the extra effort into carrying it daily.

If my employment is the cross, I will sit back. I will ask myself if it is worth it or not. I will ask myself
questions like these;

Do I need this job? Are the challenges I am facing at this job my own making? Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

In my mind, I want to regard at this job as a cross but bearing victory at the end of it all. When I take
up this job as my daily cross, all the negative energy towards it changes. And I instead embrace it
and love it as my victory.

All of a sudden, I begin to see the relevance of the job. I ask God to walk by my side in addressing the challenges that may come my way.

In so doing, God becomes like Simon of Cyrene at circumstances where the cross is almost
unbearable. At that moment, I accept that I am weak and I need help from others. Knowing that
solidarity is what I need to get to the next step.

God did not abandon Jesus to take up the cross by Himself. But rather was beside Him all the way through. Jesus had faith in His father while taking up the cross. His faith led Him to victory but victory through the cross.

This is what Good Friday and Easter is about in my life and what the cross signifies to me.

Thanks for reading. We wish you a happy Easter and would like to hear from you. Kindly leave a comment.

 

By Raymond Ahabwe