The Uncharacteristic Cross
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25
The Uncharacteristic Cross at Swan Lake Lutheran Church
On top of the steeple of Swan Lake Lutheran Church, one of the congregations I serve as pastor of Fields of Grace Lutheran Parish, is a weather vane and a lightening rod. This combination weathervane and lightning rod form a cross at the top of the steeple. This uncharacteristic cross caught my attention the first Sunday I pulled into the Swan Lake Lutheran driveway, for my first service as their new pastor. For a little over a month now, I have been thinking about this uncharacteristic cross.
The weathervane shifts with the prevailing breezes to display the direction of the wind. Yet, no matter the direction, or the ferocity of the wind, the form of the cross is always present, it is always there on the steeple of Swan Lake Lutheran Church. This uncharacteristic cross, stands as a reminder that in the midst of change, which seems so prevalent today, the cross stands as a sign of a God whose love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace which is poured out upon his people does not change. The Psalms give witness to this fact when we are reminded, “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” (Psalm 103:8)
When the winds of change blow, we often fear that the foundations of our faith may be blown off course. It is in such times that we need to cast our eyes upon the cross, to see that the wind and rain, tempest and trial, does not change the God’s steadfast love for the world, which Christ bore on the cross. In the second stanza of the hymn, Abide With Me hymn writer Henry F. Lyte, capture this sense of God’s steadfastness as he writes, “…change and decay in all around I see, O thou who changest not abide with me.” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship #629)
When we experience change, we are invited to set our foundation upon the one who does not change, whose love for us and the world is steadfast and everlasting, and that one is Jesus. In our study and understanding of God’s Word, our foundation is set. In our living a servant life, we build spiritual house upon that foundation. In worship and prayer, these spiritual houses are strengthened. And in the shadow of the uncharacteristic Cross, our lives are lived and we find our direction in Christ.
Just Another Passing Thought!
September 12, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Excellent! I remember your teaching that when the winds blow in my life, it’s the Holy Spirit who puts the signs in my way giving me direction and reminding me God is with me every step of the way! He calms the storm! Thank you!
September 12, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Another great message.
September 16, 2011 at 11:55 am
Swan Lake Lutheran Church is on the way to St.Peter, so we often see the church – now I’ll look for the uncharacteristic cross on the steeple. Thanks, your pt thoughts are always appreciated. Andie