A few years ago, we visited Eureka Springs, Arkansas, a lovely, little gem surrounded by the beautiful Ozark mountains. (Eureka Springs is listed on the National Register for Historic Places.) I’ve talked about it on my blog before a few times, but you can also refer back to my post A Cure for What Ails Us if you’d like.
While at Eureka Springs, we had the privilege of seeing The Great Passion Play, a play based on the last days of Jesus’s earthly ministry. The play is indeed one of the most awe-inspiring productions I’ve ever witnessed with an amazing cast of actors and actresses. The tickets are modestly priced, and if you get the opportunity, I would certainly recommend going.
Located on the theater grounds is a most noteworthy sculpture. The Christ of the Ozarks is approximately seven stories high (or roughly 67 feet tall) and stands on what’s known as “Magnetic Mountain.” It can be seen from many miles away because of its location. Jesus’s arms are stretched wide against a backdrop of gorgeous blue sky, exactly how one might envision our Savior if He were standing before us.
Now initially, when first viewing the sculpture, one gets the feeling that it seems just a little disproportionate somehow. (The head seems a little overwhelming for the rest of the body.) However, the longer the statue is studied and the sculptor’s vision is understood, there’s another impression that settles over us–one of complete reverence. The perception of scale/balance/beauty becomes somewhat a bit surreal the longer we linger at the foot of this massive creation.
I remember feeling so incredibly small while standing at the base of the robed statue, and I thought of the irony of that. Isn’t that how we often approach Christ? Don’t our feelings of inadequacy sometimes hinder us from owning who He’s supposed to be in our lives?
Jesus’s intention was never to hinder us from coming to Him with our fears, burdens, heartaches, or questions. We may have a “small” mentality, a limited mindset, but praise God, He’s bigger than those earthly trappings!
Jesus is our Protector, our Provider, our Shield, our Shelter, and so much more. He knew there would be times when our inabilities would clash with our capabilities and that He would indeed have to show Himself to us in a mighty way.
Not to preach a sermon or anything, but standing beneath those outstretched arms of Jesus that day (though it was merely a sculpture), for me, it was more about sensing our Savior’s greatness. I realized though we are miniscule in our thinking, the reality is He is not.
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Has there ever been a time in your life when Christ revealed His greatness in a mighty way?
How does His will for your life affect what you write?
Comments 10
What a sight that statue would be. Even more awe-inspiring is thinking about running into the outstretched arms of our Lord one day.
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The statue is incredible, Keli, And I can only imagine how it will be to run into our Savior’s outstretched arms one day. (In fact, Mercy Me’s song “I Can Only Imagine”, sums it up so beautifully.)
That is an incredible statue!
Jesus changed the way I write. He put me through a long metamophosis before I found the real writer within myself.
metamorphosis oops typo….
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It’s all about the journey and His amazing grace, Loree. So thrilled for you!
This is a beautiful post, Cynthia.
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Thank you, Patti!
I tend towards Buddhism more than Christianity, Cynthia, though I don’t find them antithetical. In fact, I feel at home in each. As to the influence either or both have had on my writing, that is a very good question, one which atm I am unable to answer. Can I get back to you on this one?
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John, can I just share my heart with you this morning? Because I base my views on the divinely inspired Word of God, here’s what I believe: Jesus (God’s only Son) was born of a virgin. He came to this earth in human form where He lived a sinless life and willingly gave His life on the cruel cross of Calvary so that we might be saved and spend an eternity with Him in Heaven. I believe there is only one way to Heaven, and that is through Jesus Christ, God’s son. I base my beliefs on scripture from the Holy Bible.
For those who would like to accept Jesus as their Savior, it’s actually very simple. There are no prerequisites, no bartering or negotiating required. None of us are blameless or without sin. Jesus welcomes us just as we are! Isn’t that freeing?!
Here’s how to know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior: ADMIT you have sinned and ask (accept) Jesus into your heart. Ask Him for forgiveness. Turn from your sin. Understand that being a Christian doesn’t mean living a life of perfection. That would be unrealistic. It means seeking–on a daily, or sometimes, a minute by minute basis–God’s will. BELIEVE that Jesus is God’s son and that He died on the cruel cross to save us from our sins, so that we could spend eternity with Him in Heaven. There is just no other way. Other “religions” may espouse many “gods” and false teachings. (These are myths which have been perpetrated by the enemy (satan) who is here to steal, kill, and destroy.He likes nothing better than to cause doubt and create falsehoods.) There is only One true living God. CONFESS your sin to Jesus. Commit your life to Him. Living a life as a Christian isn’t easy–in fact–it’s really hard sometimes because, as humans, we fall incredibly short of the mark. The really awesome thing? Our Heavenly Father understands! Again, he knows that we are not perfect–He accepts us just as we are–with all our faults and foibles!
Helpful scriptures: Romans 3:23, 4:25, 10:9. John 3:16. 1 Peter 3:18. Acts 13:38-39. 2 Corinthians 5:17.
John, without sounding holier-than-thou or pretentious, may I just tell you that I’m praying for you and that your eyes will be opened to the truth of God’s message.
May God the Father bless you as you seek His will.
thanks Cynthia for your thoughts; may our writing proceed in leaps and bounds — with God’s help, of course, but as you know we have to put in the hard yards as we do in life 🙂