My life has been enriched by spending time at a new “holy ground” place in nature, thanks to the nice weather we have been experiencing the last few months here in the northeastern part of the United States. Making time almost every day to commune with God during this quarantine time has been beneficial for me.
I often think about the many Bible stories of times when Jesus went away from the crowds to spend time alone with God, His Father. I imagine that Jesus even did that daily to continually be seeking and carrying out God’s will in His life.
I call this my little “prayer park.” It is near a sister church of the one I attend. There are three benches in the area but only one really gives you a good view of the cross. That is where you will find me soaking up this view:
I was not familiar with this particular cross, but our Deacon was kind enough to share with me that it is a Celtic cross. Legend has it that St. Patrick, when converting pagans to Christianity, introduced this ringed cross. The symbolism of the Celtic cross is about the human desire to know and experience the unfolding mystery of life. It can also be representative of a compass, offering spiritual navigation. The four circles around the intersection of the cross represent unification, totality, wholeness, and inclusion. Here is a website if you are interested in learning more about it.
The first day I went to this place, a robin promptly greeted me singing his praises to the Creator and flying up on the tree on the left. With God’s perfect timing, I had just published thoughts about “Lessons from the Birds of the Air.” God, as He often does, made me smile with thinking of His goodness and His presence in every detail of our lives.
Gazing upon the brick paths that surround the cross, I thought of some different parallels with our lives. I like how you are first greeted with the long, straight path that leads toward the cross. Notice the bigger circle of bricks on the outside and the smaller circle closer to the cross. These reminded me that sometimes in life we just keep going in circles, avoiding God and Jesus. How wonderful it is when hopefully, sooner than later, we come to accept Jesus as we take a step closer to one of the four shorter brick paths. We should aim to get and stay in the smaller circle area, close to the cross. Notice there are four paths that all lead to the center where the cross is. No matter which way you go in, all paths lead to the cross. The cross, the centrality of our faith in Jesus!
One day, even with the sun shining in part of the sky, suddenly big rain drops started teeming down. There is, thankfully, an empty house there, so I sought shelter on the porch until the rain slowed down. It reminded me that in the storms of life we can find shelter; shelter in Jesus, shelter at the foot of the cross. He is always there with us!
There is also a bench, against a school building, right across from this area. Recently I decided to sit there to see the opposite side and view of the cross. It looks like this:
The first day I sat there, the sun was in the perfect spot beating down on me as I soaked up the Son’s presence too. I heard, and then saw, three similar birds making a lot of noise as I looked at one particular tree. One of those birds seemed to remain on his branch. My mind went to the sermon from the day before about the Trinity–Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As I gazed on that steady bird, he symbolized “God” in my mind. One of the two remaining birds flew around and around, reminding me more of the “Holy Spirit” always at work in our lives. That left the remaining bird representing “Jesus, our friend.”
As I got up to leave, I looked up at the tree once more. It was bright outside and hard to see with the sun’s reflection. At first, I thought the birds were near some brownish looking nest, but I suddenly noticed it actually looked more like some feathers moving ever so slightly. It looked huge compared to the other birds. A friend of mine said it looked like a Cooper’s hawk. I was in awe of the moment, observing God’s beautiful creation. I am thankful for God’s perfect timing in our lives!
Through my days in God’s presence viewing this cross, especially with the two step base, the thought that has struck me the most profoundly is in thinking of Mary at the foot of the cross when Jesus died. Though the Bible doesn’t say specifically, it is easy for me to imagine Mary holding Jesus’ limp body in her arms as He is taken off the cross. What sorrow and pain, the pure agony of seeing her Son dead. Yet, she knew it was God’s will; Jesus was fulfilling His mission on this earth.
Mary, at the foot of the cross, watching her Son die. Laying her sorrow, her sadness at the foot of the cross.
It made me think of ways we can lay things down at the foot of the cross. Laying our fears, our anger, and our loved ones down at the foot of the cross. What a beautiful, meaningful thing to do and reflect upon when gazing at the cross.
What a great reminder for us…
lay it down…
give your problems to Jesus.
Talk freely with Him, expressing your inmost thoughts. He is always listening and always cares!
It has been beautiful to see the changes in the “garden” part in my days at this holy place. All the bushes around the circle area were very brown when I started going there in early spring. I had to smile when I went back one day and all the pink flowers were suddenly in full bloom. Pink happens to be my favorite color!
I noticed a pink flower on a tree on the side of the property and went to explore it. It just struck me as very unusual and unique. To me, it looks like the flower is growing right on top of the leaves. More of God’s beautiful creation to observe and thank Him for!
How I enjoy my God time praying, reading Scripture, reflecting and viewing the beauty of God’s creation. After that, I walk around the church and the surrounding area to get some spiritual and physical exercise. It is a perfect time to pray for the Pastor, Deacon, Musical Director, the staff, and special friends I have encountered through the church that have enriched my life. My spirit is blessed even more in worship as I drive back and forth listening to some songs our Musical Director recorded online.
I thought it quite fitting that one song he recorded is entitled Carry Me to the Cross. Take a listen and be blessed!
Making time to spend quality, alone time with the Lord is so necessary in our lives. Jesus truly gave us that example with His life.
This week I encourage and challenge you to continue actively communing with Him seeking out your special place.
Remember to lay it down at the foot of the cross.
Feel free to share any thoughts of special places you have in your life in the comment section below. It is always encouraging to me when you share your thoughts.
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. –Luke 5:16 (NASB)
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. –Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. –John 15:13 (NLT)
I too have been spending a bunch of time in nature in my garden and attempting to grow things for the first time, and I keep Jesus at the center of my thoughts every moment. I am learning how to prune plants (I’m not great at it but I hope God will bless my efforts) But it has really taught me what it means when God is pruning us as believers. I have to cut off some decent looking branches and leaves in order for the plant to divert its energy and nutrients to the good fruit. What an image! God is cutting out some things that seem good to us, but he knows how to properly prune us so that we might bear good fruit!
How perfect, Christi!! Yes, indeed, that is a perfect image of what God does with us! And he does it with such love and care for our growth. Thank you so much for sharing! Love and blessings to you as you continue growing into the child of God that He created you to be~~