Tuesday, October 22, 2013

The Remarkable Message Of The Cross Book

By Elena McDowell


Arthur Blessitt was ministering on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood when he felt God was giving him a mission. This mission was to carry a 12 foot wooden cross on his back to every nation of the world. The Cross book is the remarkable account of this journey which took 38 years and covered over 38 000 miles.

His journey began in 1969 in America and ended in Zanzibar in 2008. When he is asked how he accomplished this incredible journey, he answers that he did it one step at a time. The first chapter of his book is all about breaking down what appears impossible into small steps and taking the first step. His efforts were recorded in the Guinness Book of Records in 1996.

He wandered deserts, climbed mountains and traversed jungles but this account is more than a travelogue. He chooses to assemble his experiences by theme rather than using chronological order. It is only his belief in his mission that enables him to overcome obstacles like death threats, beatings and attacks by wild animals.

Blessitt talks about hearing God from a young age. In responding to this call of God, he found that carrying this universal symbol of the love of God broke down any barriers of culture and language. He talked to many people individually and preached to huge crowds on occasion. His mission was never about exploits but about the people he met.

On his journey he was coincidentally exposed to many historical turning points. He was amongst the first to travel into East Germany after the Berlin Wall fell. When Saudi Arabia was still closed to tourists he found a way in, walking across the sands of the desert with his wife Denise. He spent time in South Africa with his son Joshua in the years before apartheid ended.

Blessitt met with many important leaders, from kings to presidents. He braved battling armies, walking through mine fields to pray with Yasser Arafat. He went to the Vatican as a guest of the Pope. His mission was always about the people no matter what walk of life they came from and he was as concerned about talking to peasants as to kings.

There were many difficulties that had to be overcome. When he went from Panama to Colombia his fellow travelers abandoned him after about a week because they feared the journey. This meant he had to navigate impenetrable jungle and swamps on his own. When he was in Ireland, the IRA said they would nail him to his cross if he continued to carry it through Belfast. He was thrown into jail many times and faced attacks by wild animals.

The Cross book contains many photographs illustrating his journey. The handwriting font used at times contributes to the feeling of reading a journal. If you enjoy reading about ordinary men accomplishing extraordinary feats, this story will appeal to you. This inspiring narrative is an encouragement to those who are on their own journey of faith.




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