Taking Up Our Cross

We all wake up with the same potential every day.  We all wake up with the opportunity to do our best for Him. 

The cost of discipleship is something each of us should consider.  The Lord demands total commitment; but the rewards are far greater than anything we could begin to imagine!

Taking Up Our Cross

Whew!  Well, here I am Lord.  You said, “take up your cross and follow me.”  And so here I find myself.  I didn’t know for sure if I would make it, there were a lot of distractions in the way.  But I finally made it. 

 Oh, there’s the pretty young lady in the blue dress.  She was ahead of me a little bit; I see she made it.  That’s good. 

 Me?  What do you mean, Lord?  Oh, I see.  You want to know why it took me so long to get here.  Well, the truth is … there were some things I needed to go take care of first.  Like what? you say. 

 Well, God – there were my friends down at Old Joe’s Bar & Grill.  I had to go tell all those girls bye.  I had to tell them I wouldn’t be coming back.  I couldn’t be hanging around with them if I was going to pick up a cross, right? 

 What did you say?  I didn’t quite catch that, Lord.  OH!  I see.  You think I should have asked them to come with me.  I should have told them the good news about you? 

 Well, maybe so, but I don’t think those girls down at Old Joe’s would be the least bit interested in taking up Your cross to follow You.  They would have to give up too much fun to do that. 

 Huh?  I mean what? – Sir?  Those girls said the same thing about me? Mmmm .. well, I guess you never know about folks, right God?  Maybe when I am used to my own cross, I can go back and ask if they want to meet You.  For now, I just kind of want to keep everything quiet. 

 So how does this cross-thing work?  Am I supposed to pick out my own?  I gotta say it doesn’t look like there are too many to choose from.  These are not very stylish at all.  Why do they all look so much alike? 

 What, Sir?  Oh, look over here?  Yes, that’s where the lady with the blue dress was earlier.  I’ll go check it out. 

 Lord these aren’t any better than the other ones.  They are all rough.  I might get splinters.  But, oh all right.  Yes, I understand.  Great promises come with taking up our cross.  But all that seems so far away.  I’m still pretty young.  I have a lot of life left to live. 

 I don’t want to lose all my friends.  Maybe I can hide my cross under my clothes – then no one will know I’m wearing one.  They won’t know I’m trying to follow You.

 So I wonder, God – do You have any crosses that are a little smaller?  Something I can hide under my coat?  That would be perfect if you did. 

 Lord?  Lord?  Where did you go, Lord?

"And He said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."  Luke 9:23

Christ above all things -- Robin

Fitting In

 

 Want to know the way to a great day?  It is as easy as one two three. 

• Number one - Pray. Praise God and thank Him for your blessings.
• Number two - Smile at those you encounter throughout your day.
• Number three - do a good deed today - something for someone else.
• One - two - three equals a great day! Let’s make it happen!

At Maywood Christian Camp I very rarely have much contact with the older girls unless they happen to come by and see me at my cabin.  A few of my former campers do that sometimes.  It is such a joy when they do!

Several years ago, I noticed a teenage girl walk away from the pavilion.  It was almost time for our worship hour, but she was going the wrong way.  I went to catch up with her.  For one reason, she was leaving the place she where she was supposed to be.  For another, I knew something must be wrong. 

Finally I got close enough to stop her so we could talk.  She had been crying and was still upset.  It turns out she wasn’t fitting in very well with some of the other girls.  Maybe I should say they weren’t fitting in too well with her.  They had made fun of her over something.  I don’t remember why. 

I’ve often talked about the tender hearts of young children.  But sometimes teens can be really horrible to each other.  I’m talking about boys AND girls – and yes sadly, even at a Christian camp.   I am not here to condemn anyone.  I just remember very well how it felt to be a teenager. 

At that age everyone wants to fit in and have friends.  This is why we should teach our young people the importance of being kind to ALL people – even if they are a little different than what we are used to. 

The truth is we don’t have to be a teenager to struggle with fitting in.  Adults do too.  Everyone deserves the same consideration as everyone else.  As Christians, we may be the ones who do not fit in with those around us.  And that can hurt sometimes. 

The old saying about not judging a book by its cover stands true.  We should take time to look inside a person and see the beauty there.  The world places a pretty high value on outward beauty, but God says who we are on the inside is what matters most.   

When we overlook someone because they are different in any way .. we may miss the opportunity to know a totally delightful person.  To lose such a treasure would be a great shame. 

I believe there was a reason Jesus taught the parable of the good Samaritan.  He wanted to break down social barriers.  The kindness of the Samaritan was far better than the negligence of the priest and the Levite. 

When we see someone whose heart may be aching, treat them with love and compassion.  Remember Jesus reached out to the outcasts in society.  He showed them love.  Let us do our best to follow His example.

1 John 3:18  Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Christ above all things - Robin