Preaching the Cross in Dark Times

The meaning of the cross is about the outflowing, generous love of God. Thus, communicating that message should embody that love through direct personal communication. This applies whether in the pulpit or in pastoral conversation and should not be done through cameras and screens.  

This is a time not merely for lament. It is a chance for rediscovering the heart of our faith. We have an opportunity to lean into the life-changing power of the cross. Its message can shape both our words and the way we live among those entrusted to our care. 

But we are where we are.  

Yet, even in the shadows, the cross calls us not to shy away. It calls us to step forward into vulnerability and truth. We must dare to speak of hope that endures beyond despair. It asks us to embody the message we proclaim. It urges us to let its radical love redefine our courage. We should use this courage to approach those who feel lost or forsaken. This moment is not about retreating into silence or resignation. It is about actively listening and responding. We must have the conviction that the cross itself speaks into every darkened corner. It reveals a path forward. 

In this dark time, we must pray for guidance. The light which shines from the cross will help us find the words we need (Matt. 5:16). It will guide us in saying what our congregations need to hear. 

As we navigate these troubled times, the cross compels us to embrace a boldness that goes beyond mere comfort. It guides us to stand as witnesses to a love that is unwavering. This love refuses to be diminished by fear or uncertainty (Acts 1:8).  

We are summoned through the cross to confront the complexities of human suffering. We do this with a faith rooted in resilience and grace. This faith does not merely observe from a distance. It enters into the heart of anguish to offer a balm of healing. This calling challenges us to illuminate paths others can’t yet see. It urges us to be bearers of a light that refuses to falter, even when shadowed by doubt (Matt. 5:14-16). In every act of service, we are invited to carry forward the cross’s enduring promise. Its radiance softens hardened spirits. It rekindles hope in places long abandoned by certainty. 

It calls us to become vessels of reconciliation. We break through barriers of division with a gentleness that reflects its self-giving nature. This requires not only words that uplift. It also needs actions that embody the compassionate truth we profess. This shapes a ministry that is both present and prophetic. Let us walk forward. We trust that the cross remains our beacon. It is unwavering in its promise to illuminate even the most hidden places. It is in these places where hope might yet take root. 

As we press onward, the cross urges us to be attentive. We must listen to the intricate tapestry of human stories that surround us. We are called to weave compassion into every thread of our ministry. It beckons us to create spaces where burdens can be set aside. In these spaces, weary hearts can rediscover the quiet assurance of being truly seen. They can feel deeply loved. This mission demands perseverance. It also requires unrelenting humility. We commit ourselves to the sacred work of listening without prejudice. We must hold grief without haste. We offer hope without condition. It is in the unguarded moments of connection where the cross truly expresses its life-changing power. This reminds us that even in the smallest gestures, love can ripple outward. It carries with it the promise of renewal. Let us remain unwavering in this journey. We must stay confident that the cross, ever radiant, continues to chart a course through the darkness. It summons us to be both heralds and harbingers of the enduring grace it proclaims. 

The cross beckons us as we carry forward. It urges us to cultivate a ministry of presence and profound transformation. The echoes of its message inspire us. We courageously reimagine what it means to serve. It calls us to unearth hope in places where despondency appears insurmountable. We are asked to speak words of healing into silences heavy with despair. We must embody a grace that dares to cross thresholds of resistance and fear. This journey demands attentiveness to the spoken. It also requires sensitivity to the unspoken. We must listen to the silent cries woven into the fabric of human vulnerability. It asks us to embrace the paradox of strength in weakness. We must find light born from shadow. Let these truths reshape how we engage with the world’s brokenness. Every step forward becomes an act of faith. It is a testament to the cross’s unwavering promise that love’s reach knows no boundary. Its light will continue to guide even when the path ahead is yet unseen. By surrendering to this profound calling, we reflect a truth that transcends. This truth binds the scattered fragments of our stories. It forms a tapestry of redemption and renewal. 

As we move forward, let the cross guide us into a deeper communion with those we serve. It encourages us to approach every encounter with an openness that mirrors its boundless love. Just as the cross transcends time and place, so must our ministry transcend the boundaries of convention and comfort. We must dare to step into unfamiliar spaces with courage and humility. It calls us to embody a hope that is fierce. This hope is both firm and tender. It stands strong in adversity but remains gentle to cradle the most fragile of spirits. In this sacred endeavor, we are reminded that the cross does not demand perfection. It asks for a willingness to be vessels of its grace. We are flawed yet steadfast. With every act of reconciliation, we restore dignity. Every moment of compassion strengthens faith. Every word spoken into the void of despair rebuilds connection. Let this journey be marked not by the pressure to provide all answers. Instead, let it be marked by the grace to sit within the questions. Trust in the cross’s ceaseless invitation to discover light even within the most impenetrable shadows. 

Reflection brings us to the heart of the cross’s life-changing power—a space where love persists through the complexities of life. It challenges us to remain steadfast in service. We must heal without hesitation. We embrace the tension between sorrow and renewal. The cross reminds us that, even in life’s shadows, light beckons. It offers the promise of redemption. This promise threads resilience into the fabric of humanity. 

In conclusion, the cross invites us to be witnesses and participants in a story of reconciliation. Every fractured piece can find its place within a greater tapestry. It calls us to labor in hope and healing. We must trust that the work of love will reveal redemption in unimaginable ways. 

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’

Blessings, 

Minister A. Francine Green