Discipleship
Jesus invites us to be his disciples. If we choose to accept his loving invitation, we must understand that there are certain conditions to be fulfilled.
One of them is a willingness to accept the cross. Is this a once-for-all taking up of one particular burden? I don't think so. It seems to me that my "cross" is each particular occasion when I am given the change to "die" - that is, to offer up my own will whenever it crosses Christ's.
It is never easy for me. Shall I make excuses for myself (that's the way I am; it's my personality; it's the way I was raised; I'm tired; I can't hack it; you don't understand) - or shall I pick up this cross?
When Jesus took up the cross, he was saying yes with all his being to the will of the Father. If I am unwilling to say yes in even a very little thing, how shall I accept a more painful thing?
The call still comes to us: Take up your cross and come with me. With you, Lord? Yes, with me. Will you give me strength and show me the way? That was my promise - is it my custom to break promises?
Elizabeth Elliot
© 2001 girlygirl_1999@hotmail.com
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