SIGN of the CROSS.
"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
1 Corinthians 1:18
Our breath floated through the air as we headed to the car. A pile of signs saying "garage sale" and coffees in hand, we were on our way to lead customers to the destination of my driveway. Over the past year or so we have had maybe 10 similar sales in an effort to raise funds because we believe in the cause for which we are raising them. So it's no surprise that over time, and many early mornings, we've perfected our sign hanging strategy.
We selected the lime green posters, wrote words in big letters, and after many tries and failures we attached string to the back of our posters to easily hang them from the poles which line the entrances to the neighborhood. We've mapped out which entrances receive the biggest flow of traffic and know exactly which light poles, stop signs, and trees to place each sign around. We have this process down to such a tee that we have even figured out which spots get arrows only and which get the full sign that says "garage sale".
We are pleasantly surprised as we drive back by the sale after our first sign hanging and see the other half of our team greeting the cars of customers that have found their way to our piles of treasures. We finish hanging the signs at the major entrances to the neighborhood then follow them back in, to make sure no one will get lost or confused on their way!
The rest of the day we talk with strangers who are browsing our things. Some are just out for the thrill of the treasure that may be lying amongst the junk. Others are searching for a specific item they need for a project or hobby. Each one has a story. And each one was meant to cross our path that day.
My favorite story from this particular sale involved one of those couples who was in search of something specific. The woman shared that they had been in search of twin beds all morning. She told us they had been just about to give up when they stopped at our sale. And sure enough, there in the driveway, were the two beds. Customers had tried to purchase the beds all morning. But no one had offered the right deal, until that couple pulled up in their mini van. They were meant to find those beds that day. And our signs had led them to them. Who knows who's head rests on those beds tonight. But I'm sure that it is a treasure to whoever is laying on them to have their own new place to sleep.
Customers came and left, and throughout the whole day, one song played in the back of my mind. The signs, lead people to us. The song played, lead me to the cross.
"Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross"
Everyday of my life, God is laying down signs. He's leading me. You see, like a customer in route to the big sale, I might not be certain of the roads I'm being led down, I'm constantly being led back to one truth. That truth is the cross.
To some people, a garage sale holds no value. I'll admit, I'm one of those people. I don't really understand why people would wake up before the sun on a Saturday to rummage through people's junk. But, there are people who build their days around this event. Some people live for their Saturday morning garage sale. And the thrill of the hunt is finding a treasure. These treasures can come in so many forms! Twin beds, a children's toy, or an antique all hold different values to different people. And so these people search for those things that hold the most value to them personally.
As Christians, the thing that should hold the most value is the cross. That is what we should be in search of everyday. That is what the signs God strategically hangs are leading us to. We may not always see which direction we are going next until we are already there. We may not know how far we have left to travel. But our hearts should be centered on one thing. And that is the love of God that radiates from the cross.
To those who don't know Christ, the cross holds no value. But to those of us who do, the cross is everything. It is an example of unconditional love. It is forgiveness. It is triumph. It is truth. When you search for the cross, you find everything that is the message of Christ. You find His heart and you find the exact treasure you are in search of! You find Him.
Everything Christ did for us is summed up in the image of the cross. Our lives should be a reflection of that same self sacrificing love, for a cause that is bigger then us! When you feel down, or hurt, or afraid, or unworthy, remember where we've asked God to lead us! And never give up the search. It's not always easy, and we may get lost along the way, but if we keep on the path, we are bound to find the ultimate destination!
Like treasure hunters, who build their weekends around following signs to a garage sale, build your life around following the signs to His mercy and grace. Quiet your soul, surrender to Him and believe in the power of the sacrifice He has made for you!
To find the cross, is the ultimate treasure, it is to know fully the heart of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:18
Our breath floated through the air as we headed to the car. A pile of signs saying "garage sale" and coffees in hand, we were on our way to lead customers to the destination of my driveway. Over the past year or so we have had maybe 10 similar sales in an effort to raise funds because we believe in the cause for which we are raising them. So it's no surprise that over time, and many early mornings, we've perfected our sign hanging strategy.
We selected the lime green posters, wrote words in big letters, and after many tries and failures we attached string to the back of our posters to easily hang them from the poles which line the entrances to the neighborhood. We've mapped out which entrances receive the biggest flow of traffic and know exactly which light poles, stop signs, and trees to place each sign around. We have this process down to such a tee that we have even figured out which spots get arrows only and which get the full sign that says "garage sale".
We are pleasantly surprised as we drive back by the sale after our first sign hanging and see the other half of our team greeting the cars of customers that have found their way to our piles of treasures. We finish hanging the signs at the major entrances to the neighborhood then follow them back in, to make sure no one will get lost or confused on their way!
The rest of the day we talk with strangers who are browsing our things. Some are just out for the thrill of the treasure that may be lying amongst the junk. Others are searching for a specific item they need for a project or hobby. Each one has a story. And each one was meant to cross our path that day.
My favorite story from this particular sale involved one of those couples who was in search of something specific. The woman shared that they had been in search of twin beds all morning. She told us they had been just about to give up when they stopped at our sale. And sure enough, there in the driveway, were the two beds. Customers had tried to purchase the beds all morning. But no one had offered the right deal, until that couple pulled up in their mini van. They were meant to find those beds that day. And our signs had led them to them. Who knows who's head rests on those beds tonight. But I'm sure that it is a treasure to whoever is laying on them to have their own new place to sleep.
Customers came and left, and throughout the whole day, one song played in the back of my mind. The signs, lead people to us. The song played, lead me to the cross.
"Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross"
Everyday of my life, God is laying down signs. He's leading me. You see, like a customer in route to the big sale, I might not be certain of the roads I'm being led down, I'm constantly being led back to one truth. That truth is the cross.
To some people, a garage sale holds no value. I'll admit, I'm one of those people. I don't really understand why people would wake up before the sun on a Saturday to rummage through people's junk. But, there are people who build their days around this event. Some people live for their Saturday morning garage sale. And the thrill of the hunt is finding a treasure. These treasures can come in so many forms! Twin beds, a children's toy, or an antique all hold different values to different people. And so these people search for those things that hold the most value to them personally.
As Christians, the thing that should hold the most value is the cross. That is what we should be in search of everyday. That is what the signs God strategically hangs are leading us to. We may not always see which direction we are going next until we are already there. We may not know how far we have left to travel. But our hearts should be centered on one thing. And that is the love of God that radiates from the cross.
To those who don't know Christ, the cross holds no value. But to those of us who do, the cross is everything. It is an example of unconditional love. It is forgiveness. It is triumph. It is truth. When you search for the cross, you find everything that is the message of Christ. You find His heart and you find the exact treasure you are in search of! You find Him.
Everything Christ did for us is summed up in the image of the cross. Our lives should be a reflection of that same self sacrificing love, for a cause that is bigger then us! When you feel down, or hurt, or afraid, or unworthy, remember where we've asked God to lead us! And never give up the search. It's not always easy, and we may get lost along the way, but if we keep on the path, we are bound to find the ultimate destination!
Like treasure hunters, who build their weekends around following signs to a garage sale, build your life around following the signs to His mercy and grace. Quiet your soul, surrender to Him and believe in the power of the sacrifice He has made for you!
To find the cross, is the ultimate treasure, it is to know fully the heart of Christ.
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