Like a phoenix

I was listening to a Christian radio station today and words to one of the songs made me think of a phoenix.

When you think of a phoenix, you think of a magnificent bird who is beautiful.  You think of an animal that can live forever because never really dies; it is just born again from its ashes.  You think of a magical being who can heal with its tears.  You think of a mythical creature that doesn't really exist (though it would be cool if it did).

But if it doesn't exist, how did this mythical creature be thought into being?

What if we think of a phoenix from the perspective of the topic that first brought it to my mind: Christ.  I've always heard the saying 'All things testify of Christ.'  So, how is a phoenix like Christ?  It is a magnificent being.  It can be born again.  It has the power of flight, which is often related to Christ.



The phoenix dies again and again.  Dying can by synonymous pain and suffering (though death does not always mean those things).  The atonement was the process of Christ suffering for all of our pains and sorrows.  A phoenix's tears can heal.  Christ felt every single one of our hurts and sorrows; he has the capability to heal our souls.



The phoenix is capable of being born again and again.  How many times can we repent?  How many times can we start anew?  How many times can we be "born again"?  An infinite number.  

The phoenix is a symbol of Christ, but I think we should strive to make it a symbol of ourselves as well.  No matter how many times we sin, fall in a rut, experience a spiritual death, we should strive to be born again in Christ.  We are given the chance, the opportunity.

So be like a phoenix.