Telephone poles play a crucial role in developed countries. They support lines of communication that enable people to "reach out and touch" others in just about any corner of the globe. And in many communities, telephone poles carry power lines that make it possible for people to use lights and appliances.

Think about these poles and the vast roadside forest they form. What is their shape? They look like crosses, don't they?

As I looked at the pole in front of my house, I was reminded of the old rugged cross of Christ. Think of the "lines" of communication and power it carries. Because of that cross, God listens to the prayers of any believer on the face of the earth. And because Jesus shed His blood on that cross for lost humanity, believers in Christ have a deep desire to "reach out and touch" others with the message of the gospel.

For the apostle Paul, the cross was everything. He had one message when he wrote to the Corinthian believers: "Jesus Christ and Him crucified." Calvary was the heart of Paul's communication and the basis of his power.

The next time you see a telephone pole, think about the cross of Christ and how much it means to you.    — Mart De Haan