And yet, I needed to
sit and write this article. So imagine
the scene with me. A tired vicar. Starbucks.
And an article that needed to be written for a deadline later
today. I had nothing in the tank. What would I write?
And then, I looked up and saw this image:
It was a young man doctoring up his cup of morning Joe. (And yes, I secretly took a picture of his
backside as he poured cream and sweetener into his coffee!) To be honest, at first glance I didn’t know
what to make of it. Was it
disrespectful? Is it inappropriate to
wear the cross as a fashion? Is it
disrespectful to wear it on your rear end?
Is it appropriate? Do you think
the guy reflects on what the cross means when he puts the pants on or reaches
for his wallet? I don’t know…but I did.
This morning, after I got over the respect question, I
thought about the reality that EVERYTHING in our lives now bears the image of
the cross. Everything! At least everything in the life of the
disciple of Christ. It is who we
are! Everything is His! Our families are His. Our jobs are His. Our land holdings are His. Our hobbies are His. Our clothes are His. Our cars are His. Our wallets, purses, bank
accounts, 401Ks are His. Our
relationships are His. Everything is
His! I find it funny that people in
Christian congregations get tense when the subject of tithing and finances
comes up. Why? Is it possible that we have fallen prey to
the errant belief that somehow I own or command my own stuff?
Today, because of a simple pair of jeans and their back
pocket stitching, I am again reminded that everything is God’s. Everything is His. And I am challenged to remember that I died…and
now it is Christ who lives in me. My
life (and everything I am, everything I have) is His. Oh, how the kingdom of God would explode if I
actually lived out that reality! Today,
I am challenged to see my life and my stuff differently. I encourage you to do likewise...
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:3
