Church in the Windshield

Church in the Windshield

 

The Cross at 213

January 6, 2019
 

Drive west on Interstate 70; west of the Ellsworth exit to mile marker 213. Look south (left) and you see the most beautiful lighted cross.  If you are like Sheron and I, you have traveled up and down Interstate 70 many times. I don’t know how many times we traveled it but it seems like a “bazillion”and yet we never get tired of seeing the cross.                               

The cross was built on faith as the wall banner of this little prairie country church shows. Fourteen people gather on a given Sunday to worship, pray and hear God’s message in the Excelsior Lutheran Church. But who knows how many people this little church reaches in just one night.

A day time look at the cross reveals something so different. This structure made of pipe, electrical boxes, bulbs and guy wires towers in the sky. An octagon structure mounted high upon the tower reveals sixteen bright LED (Light Emitting Diode) long lasting lights. The main mast supports approximately twenty-eight plus lights (I am not sure the picture

 shows all the lights). None the less, it is impressive even in day time. This structure blends so well the sky in the day time that it becomes almost invisible from Interstate 70. It is almost as if the cross is saying, “I am here waiting . . . waiting for those lonesome night time hours between dusk and dawn.” “I am waiting, but when the time comes I will be ready.” Ah yes, if only we could be like the day time cross . . . always ready . . . always waiting.

It’s night time now and the cross seems to say, “My lights are on and it is time to shine.”  Tonight, I will bring a ray of hope to some discouraged individual traveling on the Interstate. I will awaken a sleepy driver whose focus has been on segmented white lines for far too many miles. I will encourage another that life is worth living . . . don’t give up. To another, I will say, Look . . . you made it through the storm and you will be safe now. Some will see me and sing a song; some will say a prayer. Occasionally, someone will stop and take my picture.  Others will recognize me as a land mark and know that they are close to home.  But when we see the cross, aren’t we always close to home? I am reminded of the scripture that says, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32).

Is it lonely here on the prairie, day after day and night after night?  No, because you see, I am not alone; I am surrounded by a battalion of “gentle giants; protectors of the prairie.” Each one twirls a triad of huge shiny silver blades in syncopated format. Many of the giants adorn themselves with a crown of red lights that slowly blink on . . . and off . . . in attractive but pleasing choreography. All day and all night, the “gentle giants” wave to me . . . and wink at me as if to say, “You are OK.”  And so it is in the real world, if we keep our eyes the cross and our faith in Jesus Christ, we will be OK.

Who says that a little country church on the prairie can’t be a great witness? Let’s give a “shout out” for the Excelsior Lutheran Church that

had the faith and foresight to light the cross.

Until next time, keep your eye on the cross and your faith in Christ.

Ron & Sheron, drivers behind the windshield

Epilogue: If you are traveling on Interstate 70 and would like to attend a great early service; stop by the Excelsior Lutheran Church (9^th Road and Avenue C east of Wilson. Service time is at 8:30 a.m. The church will give you a warm welcome and Pastor Angie Sundell does a great job.