Crossing the Great Divide – Decorator Print

Crossing the Great Divide

by Jack E. Dawson

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18

Disaster appears imminent as the vintage steam locomotive pulls the train of life toward the great divide that separates us from God our Creator. Can you see the fires of judgment and destruction at the bottom of the canyon? Though the green passenger cars denote life, it is the bridge of man’s self-effort alone that crosses the dangerous chasm. This trestle is totally inadequate to support the weight and power of the train. Only God’s supernatural intervention in our journey offers hope. The brilliance of the sun illuminates the cross that spans the abyss and supports the bridge. It provides the only way to travel safely from the barren, dying landscape of this world (on the left) to the fresh, abundant land of life with Christ on the other side of the divide. Two more crosses take shape in the clouds. One points the same direction as the cross beneath the bridge, symbolizing the thief who was crucified with Christ and taken to be with Him that day because he believed. The second turns the opposite way, like the thief who turned away from Christ to his own destruction. Each of us must make a choice to follow Christ or to turn away. Though no people are visible on the train, the light of those who have received new life because of Christ’s gift shines out from the cars. All aboard!