"If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let
him....take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24
Jesus doesn't say "Make a cross" or "Look for a cross." Each of us has a cross to carry. There is no need to look for another one. The cross we have is hard enough for us! But are we willing to take it up and accept it as our cross?
Maybe we can't study, maybe we are ill, maybe we suffer from depression or a terrible personal loss, maybe we experience conflict in our families, maybe we are victims of violence or abuse. We didn't choose any of it, but these things are our crosses. We can ignore them, reject them, or hate them. Or we can take up these crosses and follow Jesus with them.
Father, give us the strength, insight and grace to grasp your love for us as we shoulder our crosses for your glory. Amen
Jesus doesn't say "Make a cross" or "Look for a cross." Each of us has a cross to carry. There is no need to look for another one. The cross we have is hard enough for us! But are we willing to take it up and accept it as our cross?
Maybe we can't study, maybe we are ill, maybe we suffer from depression or a terrible personal loss, maybe we experience conflict in our families, maybe we are victims of violence or abuse. We didn't choose any of it, but these things are our crosses. We can ignore them, reject them, or hate them. Or we can take up these crosses and follow Jesus with them.
Father, give us the strength, insight and grace to grasp your love for us as we shoulder our crosses for your glory. Amen
