I love your cross, where'd you get it?

Most of us wear a cross around our neck. And sometimes depending on what outfit we wear, we might have a certain cross to coordinate with our outfit. Naturally, I think simply wearing a cross is a wonderful thing. But how often do we ever consider what it means to wear a cross? It's like Peter Parker was told, "With great power comes great responsibility." I think this phrase works the other way too. With great responsibility comes great power. It seems a little silly, but think about what the cross stands for; what it symbolizes. Consider the power of the cross, and the burden we carry when wearing the cross.

For many individuals, a cross is simply a piece of jewelry. Often, crosses aren't worn to identify a religion, belief or personal identification. Typically, we see crosses as a fashion statement. Think of people like Madonna, Lady GaGa, Kelly and Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson -- people like this wear crosses, use crosses and commercialize crosses, for one reason or another. Typically, for wrong and blasphemous reason.

I bring this up because I'm always getting compliments on my cross, most often referred to as a necklace, which is fine. It gives me the chance to identify myself and to educate the uneducated. With every, "I love your necklace," I reply with, "Thank you. It's an Eastern Orthodox cross and a Seraphim (six-winged angel)." Often people are surprised at my response. I think they usually expect a simple thank you. However, I don't wear my cross to get compliments, nor to make a fashion statement. My purpose in the cross goes much deeper.

I think we all know it's no easy task to truly be a Christian. We live in a world which constantly changes how it's going to dictate how we should think and how we should believe. As Christians, we believe in a God, Who we're supposed to be obedient to. A God who gives us laws, rules, regulations and directions to follow, just like a worldly government. So just as we're obedient to the laws created by man, as Christians, Jews and Muslims we are also required to be obedient to God. And our obedience to God is really first and foremost.

So how does this tie into the cross? What does this have to do with wearing a cross?

Site of the Crucifixion of Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
The church also contains the site of His tomb. Jerusalem, Israel.   

My friends, it has everything to do with the cross. Understand that at one time, the cross was nothing more than a symbol of death and punishment. The cross was a symbol of fear, hate and public embarrassment. And God sent His Son to Earth, in order to redeem us all from sin.‎ Consider the words of Saint Athanasius: "The Cross of the Lord is the monument to His Victory. O marvel of the love of the Word of God for men, for it is on our account that He is dishonored so that we may be brought to honor." What beautiful imagery!

When we wear the cross of Christ, we mark ourselves with a seal. A seal of hope, victory and honor. The cross is a "medal of honor" which is meant for all people; created for all people. And this seal, this medal, doesn't have any prerequisite except faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith in Jesus Christ is only the beginning, and our seal/medal is only what we make of it. When I wear my cross, I understand the burden I willingly carry. The burden of knowing right from wrong. The burden of struggling to live the gospel, not just preach it. The burden of falling down and getting back up as a stronger person. 

The cross is not a free gift to us, for the cost of the cross is the blood of God incarnate. And our responsibility is to devote our lives to Him. Our burden is to struggle for Him, because He struggled for us. And the most important thing about all of this is that God gives us the freedom to choose Him or to choose something other. We are not forced to believe, we are not forced to pray, we are not forced to obey. So when we make the free decision to believe, pray and obey, we receive a gift and grace from God, which is untouchable and un-influential by any man, woman, pop-culture or political power.

The cross, for us Christians is a symbol of freedom, hope and life; at least it should be. And when we hear people talk about how we're slaves to God, agree with them. Because in reality, that's what we Christians are. We're a group of human beings who willingly take up our cross and follow Him. Our non-Christian brothers and sisters tend to think we're all brainwashed and controlled by religion. When really, it's the other way around because nowhere in the history of creation did God ever require anyone to believe in Him, follow Him or listen to Him. If anything, it's the non-believers who are controlled by something.       

So at the end of the day, what does the cross mean to you? Why do you wear a cross? Why don't you wear a cross? It's these seemingly simple questions we must ask ourselves day to day. Through this constant of questioning and evaluating of ourselves and our faith, we learn more, experience more and allow ourselves to be free from all things. For when we struggle to willingly live for God, we receive Grace. And in turn, through hard work, that Grace leads to an open mind, an open door of opportunity and a direct path to eternal life.