"Let him... take up his cross daily..." - Luke 9:23 NKJV
We tend to equate our cross with things like a difficult mate,
a headstrong teen, a bedridden loved one, or too much month left at the end of the money. One author writes: "We think God passes out crosses like a warden handing shovels to a chain gang. No one wants one. Each one gets one... [But] the cross means much more. It's God's tool of redemption... proof of his love. To take up the cross... is to take up Christ's burden for... people." Jesus said, "The load I give you to carry is light" (Matthew 11:30 NCV). The cross you're called to bear won't break your back, it will awaken and develop in you areas of strength which are lying dormant or being used for less worthy purposes. When you recognise this, you'll stop praying for a lighter cross and ask God for a stronger back. When Paul began praying this way, God said, "My grace is sufficient for you..." (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV).
When a badly burned infant dressed in funeral clothes was left to die in a field, attorney John Bentley and his wife nursed him back to health and adopted him. Today, the Bentleys oversee an orphanage. Instead of walking away, they're shouldering the cross for China's children. Michael Landon, Jr. was 19 when he accepted Christ and started impacting Hollywood by making redemptive films instead of the usual rubbish. The son of an acting legend, Landon is uniquely qualified to carry the cross for the entertainment industry. But remember, the cross calls for dying to self-interest and crucifying the desires of your flesh so that the life of Christ can be seen in you.
Bible Readings: 2 Corinthians 11:16-13:14, Luke 23:26-34,
Psalm 54, Proverbs 21:18-21
Psalm 54, Proverbs 21:18-21
Here are three questions that will help you to
identify your cross:
1) What direction is God leading me? If you think your background doesn't matter, think again. It can be a roadmap to your future. Consider the experiences and the kind of lifestyle you've been exposed to. Growing up in Egypt prepared Moses to stand before Pharaoh. David's years leading sheep, groomed him to lead a nation. Paul's distinction as a Hebrew scholar and Roman citizen qualified him uniquely to minister to both religious and nonreligious people.
2) What burdens has God laid on my heart? Paul says: "My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved" (Romans 10:1 NKJV). Paul was driven by a passion to see his people saved. What drives and inspires you? Building shelters for the homeless? Standing against abuse and neglect? Try visiting a nursing home and see if you don't leave feeling uplifted. Or spend time with a group of special-needs kids; they'll teach you more than you teach them! Fulfilment comes from the desires of your heart, not just the ideas in your head.
3) What areas utilise my talent? The Bible says God 'has given each one of us a special gift' (Ephesians 4:7 NLT) and although 'There are different kinds of working,... the same God works all of them in all men' (1 Corinthians 12:6-7 NIV).
How can you tell the difference between a self-generated and a God-generated idea? Solomon said, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but... the Lord's purpose... prevails" (Proverbs 19:21 NIV). Man-made ideas have a short shelf-life, divine direction persists; it has longevity.
Bible Readings: Song of Songs 1-4, Luke 23:35-43,
Psalm 13, Proverbs 21:22-27
Psalm 13, Proverbs 21:22-27
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