“The cross opens its arms to the four winds; it is a signpost for free travelers.”
-G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy

I am learning that the cross of Jesus Christ is amazingly central. It marks the turning point in history- the turning point in my existence. It is the difference between life and death; a burning paradox of love and wrath. It is at the very heart of reality; the answer to our deepest questions. On the cross, punishment and freedom collide in a transcendent way, Jesus’ holiness and mercy shining in their utmost brilliance.

When I feel terrible, I look to Jesus- the Creator of the Universe- treasuring me enough to give up his very life. How can I feel worthless? When I feel superior, I look to Jesus coming down and cleaning up the mess I made of my life because I was incompetent, and I am humbled. Success need not inflate me; my personal achievements were never the point.

When I am unable to forgive, I look to Jesus suffering, being beaten and mistreated by his enemies, praying for their redemption. I suddenly realize that Jesus has paid for every dark sin I have ever committed; his blood rests on my hands, and even that has been washed away. God is for me: I refuse to accuse myself and others- somehow all the wrong that could ever be done to me becomes endurable in the light of the gospel. God will see me through.

In these ways I am being freed to walk wide and far in God’s glorious presence. The cross is indeed a signpost for free travelers- it liberates one’s spirit in every way possible. Superiority and Self-Pity- the diseases of Pride- can finally be shrugged off, allowing us to fly higher than we ever dreamed. I’m soaring with my Savior- enjoying his perspective on things- the chains of this world having been loosed.

I’m not sure if any of this makes sense, but it’s all I can do to express where things are at. The profundity and centrality of Jesus’ cross is impacting my relationships and interactions, my priorities and values, my psyche and my soul- everything. It’s like some miraculous fluid spreading out to every extremity and empty room, healing my sight and my speech- my hands and my feet- my heart and my mind.

And it has occurred, mainly, through enormous difficulty and failure- as though God has been saying to me: “You prayed for growth? Let me show you where you need to grow and how it will happen.” His wisdom blows me away.

Every time I fall, expecting some sort of punishment and wincing as the fiery sword of Christ approaches, I find it not searing into my skin but resting gently upon my shoulder. Jesus reaches out his hand to me, asserting: “You are my heir; I am your Master. I am proud of you, and I will never give up on you. This training will continue, through thick and think; I will stop at nothing until you are perfect.” At moments like these, all I can do is bow in thankfulness. Jesus is making all things new.