The Story Behind the Sculpture "Ruthless Trust"

Acquire MALE and FEMALE versions of this sculpture at WWW.GODWARDGIFTS.COM.

Ruthless Trust comes from a deeply personal place in my walk with Jesus Christ. Originally created in 2004, it conveyed my complete desperation for Jesus at a very harrowing time in my life. The sculpture flowed naturally from my heart through my hands to the clay (Luke 6:45). This happened over time as the Spirit sweetly kept me at the foot of the Cross to receive Jesus’ mercy, grace, and love. Since then, I have had several similar experiences in my journey of faith. Apparently, many Christians share my story as the Spirit uses this sculpture to touch others deeply, encouraging Cross-centered faith. Praise God!

The figure is somewhat non-descript, having lost his puny self-derived security and significance in the surpassing and all-sufficient glory of Christ conveyed by His Cross. The tiny person leans wholly on the Cross, his head buried in his arms and his legs sprawled. He’s clearly exasperated and weak. He’s naked – a sign of his spiritual impoverishment and destitution in and of himself. He’s cast himself upon the Cross. It’s all he has. In truth, it’s all he’s ever had – but in these moments, he knows that more clearly than ever. He is, as the classic hymn says, “clinging to that old rugged Cross.”

Though abundantly accessible, the Cross towers above him. It’s rough; not refined, polished, or gold-plated. This little detail reflects the grit of the One who did His work there 2,000 years ago, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Thus, Christ’s Cross is a place of refuge and healing. It is a safe place for cling-ers. It is place for me and it is a place for every Christian who delights, even in seasons of great weakness and pain, in “The Old Rugged Cross.”

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown.

Acquire MALE and FEMALE versions of this sculpture at WWW.GODWARDGIFTS.COM.

Acquire MALE and FEMALE versions of this sculpture at WWW.GODWARDGIFTS.COM.

Sculpture and artist’s statement ©2004 dwmerkey sculpture, revised 2019

The Old Rugged Cross, 1913, written by George Bernard (1873-1958)