Three Wooden Crosses

Ever heard a song by Randy Travis called “Three Wooden Crosses”? If you don’t like ‘Country’, or even ‘Western’, you may not have. (Oh no, the cat’s out of the bag! My friends will ridicule my cowboy leanings!)

The ballad, told by a pastor at church, tells us about 4 people who were involved in a fatal traffic accident.

Eventually, three wooden crosses were placed at the scene of the accident.

But why not four?

The three people killed in the accident were a farmer, teacher and a pastor. However, before the pastor died he shared the promises of God with a hooker (prostitute) as he lay his blood stained Bible in her hand.

She will later read that same Bible to her son, who in time, becomes the pastor who tells the story of the 3 Wooden Crosses.

The part of the song I like so much is this:

It's not what you take
When you leave this world behind you
It's what you leave behind you when you go

The songwriter applauds what the deceased farmer and teacher left behind to those in the community. They had left something of value.

However, it’s really the dying pastor who is the real hero of the ballad … sharing Jesus, sharing hope with his last breaths to a prostitute.

Sort of reminds you about the time when Jesus spoke to the outcaste woman at the Samaritan well. She too, found salvation from the One who welcomes all types into His kingdom should they repent and have faith in Him – even ‘loose’ women need real hope.

Back to the song lyric:

It's not what you take
When you leave this world behind you
It's what you leave behind you when you go

Some more needs to be said about this stanza - even Richard Dawkins could hum along to this!

Job made the telling statement that we will depart this world the same way we entered … with nothing.

However, Job never implied by that statement, that in the meantime we can’t leave something valuable in the lives of those living people who God brings across our path.

I am a teacher at a Christian school.

For 25 years I have had the privilege of communicating the Gospel to a whole range of young people, as well as teaching some other subjects along the way.

I am sure that to some of my ex-students I am no longer within their memory cells, even a small way … or even a positive way - life is like that.

But every so often, an email or card comes my way reminding me that in the lives of some ex students, I have had an impact that has endured into adulthood. I thank my God for this encouragement. All good things come from Him and only because of Him.

You are no different to me.

You too, by the same Spirit, impact others for good --- whether it be in a moment of compassion, or encouragement or even a listening ear.

Without trying to be trite or soppy, it may even be as simple as a smile, a welcome touch, a reminder to a hurting soul that a truly loving God is in complete control.

But what of the greatest eternal impact: being the vehicle for the words of life (Gospel).

We all leave something behind when we leave. Whilst some of our footprints are regrettable, some endure for a long time. Even Satan can’t erase that valued impact.

At his point of death, ready to be executed, the apostle Paul said these enduring words:

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

2 Timothy 4: 6-8 (ESV)

Paul left with nothing … but you know; his impact – each day – is felt by millions around the planet. He would never had known it!

Some of us have much and some of us have little. We will all depart this world with nothing as we go to be with the Lord.

However, in the meantime, because we are God's kids and with the Lord’s help, may we impact as many as we can for the glory of Jesus ... especially the Gospel!