Cross Man

Jesse (October 2nd, 2005)

I had been driving, and I noticed a man dressed in all red walking down the street. What stood out wasn't his all red clothing on a very hot day, it was the twelve by eight foot cross he was dragging down the sidewalk next to a busy road. The cross had giant nails with blood painted on it, and it had a crown of thorns which was actually made of real thorns, also on the top a sign that said Jesus Christ of Nazareth, or something like that. I was so curious what he was doing, I had to turn around and talk to this man.

I pulled up and said "Do you need any help with that cross? It looks heavy." He said, "No thank you, I am doing this because I go from town to town and want people to know that Jesus Christ isn't an option, He IS the ONLY way." I said Amen!

I talked to Him for a half-hour. I'm always skepticle about wolves in sheep clothing, but he seemed very, very, sincere. I asked, "when Jesus said pickup your cross and follow Him is this what you think he ment?" He said, "not for everyone, he put this on my heart, im not here to start a religion for people to come carry crosses."

I finally remembered his name it was hard to remember, Obidiah. He was 56 years old. He also asked, "Do you have time to talk for a moment?" I said, "Yes, this is why I stopped." I was very curious. He brought up some things about end times. After his knowledge of the Bible and able to bring up scripture among scripture I was not suprised to hear he was a pastor at a church.

I'm not one to go out and do things publicly or wouldn't see myself doing something radical like this. He wasn't looking to glorify himself or look Holy, he was impacting the community and city. When I see a man walking down the road in 90 degree weather in all red clothes, pants, and a hat, with a hundred pound twelve foot cross on his shoulder - I thought man, this isn't something you see everyday. It stood out like a small miracle for my day, it was amazing.

He spoke to me about the hurricanes, and earthquakes. He said "I don't expect you to believe me on this, but you can look it up", about a few things. So I did, and they were correct. As far as historical earthquakes and hurricanes he was referring to. He said there were times he felt so unworthy to carry the cross but God told him to do it, he seemed very kind and forgiving when he spoke of God. Almost like someone that sucks up, but not-so - it was more like extreme respect.

He covered the basics with me because I wanted to know if he believed in radical miracles and gifts, and he did. He then prayed with me on the side of a busy street. I was so happy because I hadn't realized it now but, I'm not embarassed about God anymore. To be seen with a man and a giant cross on the busy road and getting prayed for while people honk or yell things, It didn't come to mind what poeple thought of me when we prayed. This really put my feet on fire, I don't know why but I couldn't get this out of my head. To see this man do this, and the way he talked about God - I know that I have a long journey ahead.

This inspired me and I really want to learn more about God and discipline myself in faith more, as far as fasting and setting aside more prayer time. Because God is so important, and we sometimes go by in our days doing things that have little or no meaning at all, just to get by. When the whole reason I can run to the gas station is because God created me, I dont like the prices - I dont have very much money. But God Bless, He's given me transportation, eye sight, ears and a voice, the list goes on!

It was pretty neat, to see someone who does more than goes to church every sunday and says they believe.

God Bless.