I’m driving along and I get stuck in a massive traffic jam. Inching
my way down the road, I fret, wondering if I will get to where I need to go by the time I need to be there. Then, up ahead on the right, I see the cause of the jam—an overturned car. The thought that runs through my head—I kid you not—is, “Oh good. It’s an accident. Once I get past that, the speed will pick up.”
Tell me you’ve done that, at least once. I’d hate to think I’m the only one. (more…)
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24).
There is a man in my area who has a cross. It’s a full-size, heavy, wooden cross, very authentic looking except for the wheel at the base. This man, as far as I can tell, spends his days walking the highway and byways, sharing the gospel without saying a word. To see him dragging that cross along the road is surprising, and comforting, and yet a little disturbing. It’s a reminder that I do not always appreciate. All of which is probably why he does it.
I admire the man, though I doubt that this is what Jesus meant in the above passage. I kinda wish he had. I mean, as tough as dragging that piece of wood undoubtedly is, it’s cake compared to the cross Jesus is talking about.
The cross of self-denial.
The cross of it’s not about me.
The cross of true humility.
What does your cross look like today, Beloved? What will it mean for you to deny yourself so that you can be with Him? Your cross will look different from mine, but it will be heavy all the same. And yet…the reward.
To follow him.
To walk with Christ.
No matter how big, how ugly, how brutal your cross may be, his grace will enable you to lift it. He wouldn’t tell you to do it otherwise.
Trust him…he’s earned it.
Heave-ho Beloved.
…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).
The theme of this week’s One-a-Days is, “It’s not about me.” It covers many reasons you can be glad I’m not God…
I want to be like Jesus.
Mostly
I mean, the teaching, the leading, the healing—I love that stuff.
The prayer, the compassion—I’m there.
Clearing the temple—are you kidding me? Give me a whip, and let’s go!
But the serving…
I’m OK with serving, as long as it’s on my terms. Who I want. How I want. When I want.
But God doesn’t usually let me set the terms. And that bugs me, because it can be so inconvenient.
Like, I suppose, the cross was inconvenient.
Beloved, I wish I could tell you that I really want to be a servant like my Lord. Right now, the best I can say is that I really want to want to be a servant like my Lord.
What about you? How is your heart this morning? Are you looking to serve—any time, anyone, anywhere? Or are you, like me, just praying for the desire?
I’ll pray for you today, Beloved. You pray for me.