“There is room at the Cross” - Sam Gay
A few weeks ago I got to sit in as The Inverse Podcast interviewed The 3 Black Men Podcast on zoom. I would glamorize it, but really it mostly felt like hanging out with friends.
In the middle of the conversation Sam was telling a story and said, “There is room at the Cross”.
Take a deep breath and read those words again, “There is room at the Cross.”
I heard those words and it was like he’d said the words that were the key to the room that was behind a wall, that was inside another room that was inside a house with a bright red sign on the fence that reads, “Private property. No Trespassers.”
No one is allowed in there, not even me.
Hearing those words felt like someone took a bulldozer to all those walls and rooms while playing my favorite Max Richter album. It wasn’t violent, but it was forceful and so incredibly kind because suddenly I had permission to cry, suddenly there was room for me.
There is room at the Cross for how tired I am, for how much I long to hug my mom, for the dreams I put to sleep because this city and I are always at odds with each other. There is room for the loss of friendships, there is room for the loss of love. There is room to acknowledge the ways in which white supremacy still steals so much from me and my body knows it. There is room.
Can you imagine that? There is room for me and for you at the Cross.
I have always felt like I am too much, but not with Jesus. I am just Karla here and I can fall apart if I want to and I can rise as high and tall as I want to. I don’t have to shrink to be welcomed here. I don’t even have to pretend that Jesus is my favorite person, ‘cause I think I’m my favorite person and Jesus isn’t even surprised.
There is room at the cross for this story which continues to migrate in the direction of love.
Those words were an invitation to me, and I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t invite someone else to come along. Maybe you need this invitation today too? There is room at the Cross for what you’re carrying today, for your story, your words, your songs, your tears and anything else you’re carrying today.
I have learned that Jesus is always down to party, and always down to cry, sometimes at the same time. I am glad there is room at the Cross.
Notes:
You can listen to the Inverse Episode here.
You can support the work of Three Black Men here.
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Season 2 of El Cafecito with Karla is coming soon! Meanwhile here’s the bonus episode from Season 1!
I’m discussing Red Lip Theology with Rose J. Percy on Wednesday, Feb 16th at 8:00 PM EST on the QUNI Instagram page. You’re welcome to join! IG: Quni_Community
As always, thank you for being here and reading my words. It means more than you know.
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