Too Close For Comfort

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." - Matthew 16:24

Do you know that verse? If you are not careful you can just breeze right past it as you read Matthew. I don't think that any of us really consider what taking up our cross means. Oh, we want to be known as Jesus followers - but we perhaps that means being one of the crowd - following at a distance - not getting too close - just close enough for the comfort of being associated but not to the point of personal denial - abandoning who we are in our in our culture - in our day to day life. 

Have you ever heard someone say "That is my cross to bear"? Referring to some hardship - perhaps a persistent one. One that will not go away and wears on us - physically or mentally - or both. This past Sunday I heard a song that I had not heard before about such times. This is an excerpt.

He never promised that the cross would not get heavy And the hill would not be hard to climb. He never offered a victory without fighting. He said help would always come in time. Just remember when you're standing in the valley of decision And the adversary says give in, Just hold on. Our Lord will show up And He will take you through the fire again I know within myself that I would surly perish If I trust the hand of God, He'll shield the flame again." - Through the Fire, Cynthia Weil, David Foster, Tom Keane

When Jesus said the we are to pick up our cross - Jesus did not say it would not get heavy - that it would not be hard to bear. But what he did say was this.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:28-29

That means that we will labor and will be heavy laden - that our cross will get heavy. But we don't have to "go it alone". As a born again Christian there is spiritual relief in the face of natural hardship. It is always "in stock". You never will go to look for it and find the "shelves are empty". But that depends upon which "store" you are shopping in. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones." - Proverbs 3:5-8

Trust in "all" our ways - in every circumstance - in those times when the cross is so heavy that our knees are weak - and when that happens - we should go to our knees and look to the One who can give us rest and take us through the fire again. I don't the circumstances of the person reading this but I do know the Lord who is faithful to be present in times of trouble. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone