Staying in separate villas, rather far away from each other, it was a quite an experience for some who were afraid of the dark. There were minimal street lamps along the pathways. Literally groping in darkness if one forgot to bring the torchlight out. I grabbed the opportunity to enjoy the stars in the night sky, but some others felt the chill of the eerie stillness.
As night falls, some colleagues gathered in my villa for some games and drinks. In the midst of the card games, someone took out a handmade cross from his pocket. He had taken the extra ice-cream sticks and rubber bands leftover from the games this afternoon and made a simple cross himself. I didn't ask why he did that. But I guess he believed that the cross was able to keep the spirits at bay (like the way we see it in the movies). What mused me was that he is not Christian -- a non-believer believing in the power of the cross as an amulet for protection against harm and evil. He believed in the effects of the cross, but he does not acknowledge the One who gives meaning to the cross. "Why?" I wondered silently. Do we not remember the chef when our tastebuds met a delectable pastry? Do we not praise the author when we read a good book? Do we not give credit to the painter when we see a beautiful artwork?
As night falls, some colleagues gathered in my villa for some games and drinks. In the midst of the card games, someone took out a handmade cross from his pocket. He had taken the extra ice-cream sticks and rubber bands leftover from the games this afternoon and made a simple cross himself. I didn't ask why he did that. But I guess he believed that the cross was able to keep the spirits at bay (like the way we see it in the movies). What mused me was that he is not Christian -- a non-believer believing in the power of the cross as an amulet for protection against harm and evil. He believed in the effects of the cross, but he does not acknowledge the One who gives meaning to the cross. "Why?" I wondered silently. Do we not remember the chef when our tastebuds met a delectable pastry? Do we not praise the author when we read a good book? Do we not give credit to the painter when we see a beautiful artwork?
Why then do we not recognize the Saviour when we see the cross?
1 Corinthians 1:17-18
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
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.
May we recognise the Creator when we look at the Creation around us.
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