We’ve all had those moments of reading along a familiar passage of scripture and then sort of “tripping” over a loose stone. A word or a phrase catches the toe of our stream of thought and we stop to take a closer look.
That’s what happened to me this week as I am intentionally entering into Lent with a desire to draw nearer to the cross. To reluctantly but willingly allow the Holy Spirit to search all the nooks and crannies of my heart for a thorough spring cleaning.
The specific verse I was exploring was Galatians 6:14:
“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (ESV)
The phrase that tripped me up was “the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (italics mine).
So, I asked God to help me with a couple of questions: What is the “world” that has been crucified? What does it look like as something that is dead to me? What does it mean for me to be crucified to the world?
As I sat with God asking him to help me see my view of the world, I think I see it as:
A system of thought
A way of life that is self-focused
An operating system based on the premise that I am at the center and that it is up to me to get my needs met through the people and material world around me. In this system, the people around me are in the same position as I am. If we can help each other out to get those needs met, great. If not, we compete and compare, strive and attach in unhealthy ways.
This system is a result of a curse and the created world within it is groaning for rescue, often unaware of what it is groaning for.
Next, I explored how I perceive the world as having been “crucified to me”:
It has no power over me.
Since it is dead to me, it challenges me to look elsewhere for life.
I wondered what ways I am crucified to the world?
It no longer works to bring me life. It doesn’t feel like home.
I am often misunderstood by the world. I speak a different language. I have strange and meaningless customs and values to this world.
I and this world have little in common except that we have the same Creator and inhabit the same planet. We have the same needs, but we find those needs met in different ways.
I can’t expect to be accepted and understood in this world. In fact, I can expect opposition and even hatred.
When I think of the cross that I used to trust to help me with this crucified world, it gave me forgiveness for my sins and a ticket to heaven; but the cross I understood then was not very effective in providing true, abundant life that I so desired. I was holding to this cross in one hand and trying to do sin management and get my needs met (without crossing the line to sin with the other). I didn’t realize this, of course, and for sure I would not have expressed it. I was very grateful for my salvation, and rightfully so. But I often felt shame that it didn’t seem to be enough. The picture was in black and white.
I am still exploring the cross, and I will gladly do so as long as I live. But the cross I am exploring now is coming into full color as I understand what riches it holds for me! I am turning away from the lifeless form of the world, and I am realizing the pointlessness of trying to resuscitate myself within this world. I am finding that in this fuller, technicolor view of the cross:
I have all my needs for love met.
I am 100% accepted, just as I am in Christ.
I am realizing that always a person of worth as an image-bearer, this worth has now been “activated” by the healing and cleansing power of the blood!
From this place of love, acceptance, and worth, I am secure. I may become bruised, battered, and journey-weary, but Jesus as my companion and guide holds me up, makes my steps steady and imparts unspeakable joy for the journey.
I am free to spend my time and resources on Kingdom values.
I am free labor with Christ to redeem the world. I am free to walk and speak the truth with love and grace.
I am free to immerse myself in the reality of who I am.
I am free to surrender my rights to have life work on my terms.
I am free to seek contentment in whatever God allows into my life.
I am free to seek out the companionship of other travelers, learning from their stories, helping carry their burdens and humbly allowing them to carry mine.
How about you, my friend? In what ways is the world crucified to you, and you to the world?
We weren’t designed to do the crucifying ourselves. Jesus has done that for us! Paul continues in Galatians 6:15 by saying:
“…The only thing that really matters is living by the transforming power of this wonderful new creation life.” (TPT)
See you on the journey!
Consider joining me in one or both of these Grace for Days events:
Exploring the Cross – a hands-on, creative reflection on the challenge and beauty of the cross.
Thursday, March 19
6:30 to 8:30, Discovery Church Youth Center, Newton, NC Cost: $30 which includes materials
Leaving One to Embrace the Other – a silent, guided retreat. Time for one-one-one reflection with spiritual director if desired.
Friday, April 3
12 noon until 4:30 pm
Catholic Conference Center, Hickory, NC Cost: $75 which includes materials