Crashing Symbols

From the backdrop of the American Flag, General George Patton speaks of bravery and patriotism.

I could watch that movie classic intro a trillion times! I get juiced just listening to the call of courage while being reminded of the sacred liberty that is mine as represented by the American Flag. That is the power of a symbol. We all know it and feel the rush of life and loyalty that symbols bring to our memories and our emotions. The value of a meaningful symbol cannot be price matched.

"Place me like a seal over your heart." Song of Songs 8:6

In Scripture, a 'seal' was easily understood, recognized and respected. It was the 'signet', the 'sign' of possession. The 'seal' was the unique emblem of ownership. To Solomon's wife, the 'seal' represented her husband's lasting love and loyalty that was exclusive to her alone and never to be compromised. The 'seal' was public and left no secret to whom it belonged. The 'seal' was in practical terms, and announcement...in this case...an announcement of love and fidelity.

When you wear a wedding band...that is what your 'seal' communicates. You wear the emblem of belonging. To allow anyone other than your spouse into your heart shatters the meaning of what that gold symbol represents and communicates...to your mate especially, and to your children, family and loads of others. That is the power of a symbol.

That is why God knows our need for visuals. Pictures create for us a means to understand and communicate indescribable realities. For the Christian, the symbol of the Cross is saturated with meaning. The Cross represents the place where atonement was provided. It is that single symbol that adorns church buildings, marks burial sites and even dangles from earlobes. To claim the Cross as a symbol of personal faith and then to empty it's influence by casual disobedience to God is dangerous...very dangerous.

"I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God." Exodus 20:5

When you belong to God, He is jealous over you because His 'seal' is set upon you. He refuses to share you with others who pretend to be 'God'. Would you agree to share your spouse with another? The answer is obvious...even to the point of ridiculousness!

Here's another question that you can ponder some today...

Are you jealous for God? If so, guard against emptying the Cross of it's meaning and be sure to set it and its meaning as a 'seal' over your heart today.