A Symbol of Sacrifice

Whether or not you declare an official creed as a part of your worship each week, I encourage you to to sit down, as I did, and try to express your own personal creed or mission statement.  It will help you center your thoughts around what is really important each day and it might guide your path as you make decisions about your future.

Gazing at a crucifix as we pray and devote our lives to God can be an important part of how we “practice” our faith as Christians.

This crucifix painted by John Singer Sargent in 1914 gives us another perspective of the Cross. His subject, taken from real life, came from a time when he was trapped in Tyrol Austria during WWI, waiting to receive the proper documentation to travel back to his home in London. A dark time, and so the sight of these symbols of sacrifice, dotting the beauty of the Alpine landscape, drew this artists into reflection…

I encourage you to use it to write your own statement of faith.

Tyrolese Crucifix, John Singer Sargent, 1914, Watercolor and graphite on white wove paper, 21 x 15 3/4 inches. public domain, image source from the Met open access.

I am a person of faith.

I believe there are mysteries we can not understand and that admitting this is a sign of strength not weakness.

I “practice” my faith through a devotion to the Cross;

and I experience my spirituality through Jesus Christ who is my Lord and Savior.

I believe that he is the light that shines into darkness and so by focusing my thoughts not only on his teachings but the life he lived, I am practicing my faith.

This is a faith that ultimately proclaims that God is love;

And seeks to live, striving to become this light in a world of darkness;

to give hope to those despairing by saying that they are not alone;

that God knows and cares about their suffering;

A devotion to the sacrifice of the Cross tells me this even in the darkest times.

I believe that God had something to say to the world;

and He is still speaking to us through His action of sacrifice on the Cross.

This is the light…this is the wisdom by which I practice my faith.

Dear Lord,

Guide our thoughts as we press into the vision of the Cross and the picture of divine sacrifice. We can see Jesus’ passion and as we do it heals our thoughts and motives and causes us to desire you more deeply everyday. Lead us now as we ask how we can live more in the divine light of sacrifice. Who can we bring your light of hope so we might be a lamp along their way? Forgive us when we stumble or lose our way. We humbly ask that you guide us back into your path of love. Give us the strength to continue and the courage to meet the challenges ahead. In Jesus name we pray…

Peace be with you!

#newperspectivesofthecross