Present Yet Impervious

For me, the Christian Cross consists of 7 elements: Number 1, it is always painful; Number 2, it is tailor-made, by God and/or as a result of my own choices; Number 3, there is an "anointing" on the other side; Number 4, it usually has something to do with your identity; Number 5, you can choose to not "go to the cross"; Number 6, life on the other side of the cross is never the same; Number 7, the cross that kills you might not cause another to even flinch.

Sometimes this cross can last for decades - a series of thousands of choices - till the work is done and one is delivered from the fire that yet burns - in the fire but not harmed by the fire - present yet impervious - truly changed.