For many years I have been a true spa enthusiast. One of my favorite treats is getting away for
a while to receive a therapeutic treatment and recoup from everyday stresses. In this season of my life, I have the good
fortune of being able to attend one of the top massage schools in my area under a generous new Veterans Benefit.
During a class, one of the things they
covered is that clients should not cross their arms or legs while receiving a
treatment. When someone crosses their
body in any way, it is perceived as a “blockage.” Any blockage can possibly prevent energy or healing from flowing freely. The idea during therapy is to relax and be “open” to the work or healing one wishes to receive.
However, during a recent devotional, a comparison
occurred to me. The meaning of “the
cross” (in the context of Christianity) has an entirely different meaning. When we consider the cross of Calvary, it
does not represent a blockage but an opening.
Through the work of the cross, Christ opens the way for fallen humanity to become a part of God’s eternal family. The cross represents God taking the curse of sin upon Himself so that we can be saved and set free. When it comes to the cross of Calvary, God's love, power and healing flows freely.
Through the work of the cross, Christ opens the way for fallen humanity to become a part of God’s eternal family. The cross represents God taking the curse of sin upon Himself so that we can be saved and set free. When it comes to the cross of Calvary, God's love, power and healing flows freely.
Of course I’m not trying to say that massage is somehow in
conflict with the gospel of Christ! Not at all; but
I do think it is amazing how God’s ways are different, higher and often times the opposite of the ways of this world. He even uses the foolish things to confound the wise:
"For the message 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 1:19 NKJV)
“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are…” (1 Corinthians 1:27-28 NKJV)
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV)
And that's all for now. Just enjoying & sharing a little play on words as I meditate on the word cross.
Photo Image Credit: Luigi Diamanti / Free Digital Photo.net
