I’m not a rock climber. I’m told in climbing lingo, “Crux” is the toughest move, or sequence of moves in the climb.
Life too, is a climb. We move from a starting point when we breathe our first breath through to the finish line when we breathe our last breath. We enter life with a will to live. We spend our life living, as deadpan as that might sound.
Our soul’s journey starts in innocence; in dependence. Somewhere, depending on God’s design for us, most living souls move to a point of accountability, or to a point where our parents no longer make decisions for us. We learn by training and, unfortunately, in some cases, by cause and effect. In other cases, our course of direction comes by default, and is also influenced by our internal makeup.
We hear the term “a child’s development”. As we grow into accountability, we face choices. Often during times when we face the toughest choices, we try to escape the decision-making process. Some turn from a difficult decision by immersing themselves in another interest. Often the alternate move in our choices is a noble move. For some people, embarking on a noble and admirable journey of generosity, mixed with social graces, is a method used to defend their unwillingness to come to the cross and acknowledge the call for a new birth experience. Following this course, their outward appearance and behaviour is very exemplary; sometimes even flawless. Invariably, and without question, at some point this accomplishment in exemplary behaviour is met with an awareness of need. II Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Whether we are like the seed that falls on good soil, among thorns, on stony ground, or whatever the circumstances are, as referenced in Jesus’ parable of the sower in Matthew 13, we all have a seed (our soul). We all come to places of choice and decision.
Now let’s consider the journey of life.
Seeking to avoid pain is standard. Some of us are aggressive, some passive. Some of us, in our efforts to avoid pain, confront it. Others of us try to avoid it by escape. These are settings that birth characteristics, life experiences and observations temper or mould.
Somewhere in this complexity is the “Crux” of our climb. I am not suggesting that there is only one point. There may be multiple points. In many cases we do not recognize the “Crux”. It may well be viewed as a definite barrier, placed by circumstances or powers beyond our control. Our natural reaction to something overwhelming in our quest is avoidance of it, or searching for options. This “crux” will immobilize us.
Often in a search for a deeper walk, in the desire to scale a summit of personal achievement, we are called to a time of objective neutrality. This is not as complex as it may sound.
An example might be about a dog, and a chunk of ham hanging from the ceiling of the meat cooler. The dog has found his way to the meat cooler through an unclosed door. He salivates at the thought of sampling the prize. He has jumped for it unsuccessfully. Does he forget the meat and leave? Probably not. Most likely he will lie in proximity to the meat cooler for hours, trying to satisfy his interest. He could drag a chair to help him out, but his canine mind doesn’t consider this option. So, he lies, and waits.
Finally, the master arrives. Although the ham is not meant for the dog, the master is impressed with the wishes of the hound. Out comes a knife. He cuts a chunk from the ham. He tosses it to the dog, who virtually inhales it.
So, the ham was out of reach. The dog couldn’t solve the problem. His wishes for what he considered his prize held his attention. The master cut a chunk of the prize. Not because the dog deserved it. The dog was in neutral. His jumping was ineffective. All he could do was wait. Wait for his master.
At times we too encounter things that appear impossible. Sometimes our own journey bears resemblance to my seemingly absurd little example. All we can do is wait, and by law of averages, nothing short of the master’s generosity will provide us with the prize. There is a time when we, like the dog, have an objective. We wait for circumstances to change. We wait for assistance from sources that exceed those within our control.
Yet, this is not the crux I have in mind. The crux of our life’s climb may seem as impossible as the dog jumping for the ham. I am thinking of an obstacle hindering us from reaching the summit.
I’m reminded of an older gentleman. He was well beyond the age of eighty years. He was a likeable man. However, there was a shadow. Almost indetectable. When you had heart-to-heart conversations with him, there was an edge; a tone of sarcasm. He avoided spiritual bonding. As memory serves me, he had passed his 90th birthday. He was vibrant, and in good health. One day he was ready. He revealed, and brought to the cross of Jesus, acknowledgement of a sin that had occurred decades ago. He had not wanted to admit it. This was the crux in his journey. This gentleman changed in a way his friends and family had never witnessed. He spoke of Jesus as his friend, and not just as a religious symbol. He was free!
The timing in the above occurrence is not my affair. I can, however, make a few remarks about what is required in us as individuals. Honesty is paramount. This may mean admitting we are aware of a block in our path. Possibly acknowledging that we are really not even sure what that block is. This requires vulnerability; allowing others in, and permitting them to assess our situation. Vulnerability opens us to consider all options. We need to take our hands off the wheel, to relinquish control.
Jochebed, the mother of Moses, put Moses in a little basket boat in the rushes, with his sister Miriam in charge. Talk about vulnerability. The results of the actions of one lady, whose name is almost unknown…just a common lady. But her willingness to face her circumstances made a profound impact in history. No doubt when Jochebed and her family daubed pitch on the little seafaring basket for their baby and brother, they reached a crux in their journey. I’m sure that as Moses joined the household of the mighty Pharaoh, their anxiety did not vanish.
The crux of our journey does not need to have a “now” solution. Naaman dipped 7 times in the Jordan River. The Israelites were in the wilderness 40 years. We too are not always recipients of “now” answers.
Life is full of miracles. Miracles are not historical. Miracles are current. When we face, and traverse, the “crux” of our ascent, expect miracles. Expect them.
