As the rain and the snow fall down from the earth

This is one of my favourite passages from the Bible. I think it's probably because it is so full of imagery and because it features in the service of morning prayer sometimes so it's one I've said and heard a lot.

"As the rain and snow come down from above and return not again, but water the earth, bringing forth seed for sowing and bread to eat, so is my word that goes forth from my mouth. It will not return to me fruitless, but will accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the task I gave it." Isaiah 55.10-11

I cited that verse with Proverbs when we were studying Isaiah last week and the real tangibility of the passage seemed to connect with the young people too.

For me, the passage occurs to me again today as I've been asked to contribute to the Good friday service in the form of a few words on the subject of "The Cross and Me". This may nto seem much but, since I preached a few weeks ago, I've not had a preach to prepare and that has really made me feel a bit out of sorts. I suppose I could be preparing sermons on any number of texts of my own bat but being called upon (and indeed called) to preach on something somehow makes a difference to me. As I've said before, preaching is nver just about the passage but about the people with whom you are sharing that exploration of the Bible.

I'm not sure what I'm going to say about the Cross and me. There are a few ideas whirling in my head:

-the cross my parents gave me when I was confirmed and which I've worn ever since with very few exceptions...

the experiential worship service we did on the cross using the story of St Helena four years ago (blimey that's ages!)...

the service of the cross at Taize...

the cross on Iona...

the celtic crosses Michael has shown me how to draw...

hmm... what would you say?