Friday, April 8, 2011

Take Up Your Crosss

I saw the strangest, most beautiful sight the other day. While driving down a back road between Napa and Sonoma, I witnessed a reminder of the most profound sacrifice: a man literally carrying his cross. Though I'm sure Jesus did not have the advantage of attaching his to a red wagon, the intention was still obvious. His act was unprovoked and uninterrupted, yet I hope I was not the only one in whom it sparked contemplation. A simple symbol of something we so often make complicated: sacrifice.
In discussing sacrifice, the topic of Jesus' crcifixion is unavoidable. I cannot even begin to fathom the immense pain he suffered in carrying the sin of the world and, ultimately, separation from his father, from love. It is easy to only focus on his sacrifice in death. But what about his sacrifice in LIFE?
It's not going to be easy. He warned us - straight forward. And he wasn't kidding! Jesus led by serving, so why do we think we can be good leaders any othe way? Sacrifice is the heart that enables service.
Take up your cross - literally if that's what it takes. You'll find that it doesn't get lighter or easier to carry, but he makes you stronger. You'll find that when it seems like your personal struggle is being put on display, he will use it to free others and yourself. An certainly, you will find that he I with you every step of the way.
Happy journeying!

2 comments:

  1. "You'll find that it doesn't get lighter or easier to carry, but he makes you stronger."

    True that! It makes me think of the part from "Holes" when Zero's great-great-grandfather has to carry the pig up the mountain every day. As the pig grows, he gets stronger, so that by the end, he is carrying a fully grown pig, but the journey along the way has provided the strength he needed.

    If we just sit back and look at the magnitude of the life God is calling us to, it can be incredibly overwhelming. I'm tempted to just sit back and say "Jesus, I could never live like that, sacrifice like that, serve like that!" But as we journey with Him, He strengthens us and builds us up, empowering us to carry a cross so much bigger than we ever could on our own.

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  2. "You'll find that when it seems like your personal struggle is being put on display, he will use it to free others and yourself. An certainly, you will find that he is with you every step of the way."

    This is probably the number one thing God has been working in (and working out) in me in the last 9 months or so. Thanks for putting words to it, Emma! The freedom I've experienced personally and with others has been incredible! And, as always, Jesus is faithful to be right next to me every step of the way. So good and so hard!

    And also, what an absolutely incredible image to see as you drive. Holy cow!

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