The line lagged. Troubadours for the Lord, I suppose you could say they were as this day was a day to remember the cross. What was happening that they were so moved? It was Good Friday back in March.
Months have passed since then and yet; I remember the scene well. The testimony given without so much as a word was mesmerizing.
A large wooden cross, different than the one which remained in view above the altar, was at an angle, while the cross beam was held up by two young men. It rested in their arms just so — so others could pray on this day of days. People could come forward, one by one, in order to be near the cross. It was a symbolic gesture of remembering what happened on it, and those passing by could touch it if they so desired.
The young man, a few steps ahead of me, moved with the multitudes and when it was his turn, grabbed hold of that cross with his right hand as down went his head in prayer. Letting go of it appeared to be the hard part. His hand remained firmly upon the vertical shaft of the wooden beam, and he clung tightly.
Eventually, his hand loosened and with one final pat to the wood to which he’d been clinging, he shuffled back to his seat allowing the next one to move forward.
Encouragement comes in many forms and the strength of the young man’s hands firmly taking hold of the cross was one of those moments that moved. His outward contrition connected. He knew not that I saw — nor does he know that I now wonder.
I wonder what the young man was pondering in his heart. I wonder what his silent prayers were which beckoned him to draw nigh as he did. I wonder what he carried and no longer does. And as I reflect, I wonder where that young man will be called to share his faith and with whom.
I bet the playback of the moment would bring a smile to the young man’s face if he knew he’d been a witness that day of days — how his one gesture towards the cross encouraged. The young man was not ashamed. He was not ashamed as he took his moment to behold the cross.
He lived out Romans 1:16. “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel. For it is the power of God unto salvation for all believers…”
May we never be ashamed of the Gospel — no not ever. In Him our hope. As we are called to step up to the cross and live in the Light of our crucified died and risen Savior, may we cling tightly to that which is before us — trusting that which was done for us — upon it.
Like streams of living water, the people melded as one while taking their turn in front of the cross, pondering anew what the Almighty did do.
What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer. Amen.
Kathleen Kjolhaug lives on the family homestead in northern Minnesota. She and her husband, Pete, have 12 grandchildren. As a retired reading specialist, she now enjoys writing, taking walks along gravel roads and praying attention through connection with those who matter most—each of you. She’s recently authored a 33 Day Devotional, “Wading into the Deep,” a tool intended to connect the sacred with those who matter most in each of your lives. Kathleen may be contacted via email: wemenews@gmail.com
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