Your Cross

Following Jesus is a path of joy but also real sacrifice. You lose great value when you expect life to be rosy and cheerful all the time. Leaning on the strength of Jesus through times of difficulty and suffering builds faith unlike times of ease. If you want your spiritual muscles to become stronger, you must be willing to lay your life down for others as Jesus did. Putting your desires aside for the calling of Christ is noble, wise, and truly fulfilling.

When you hear the word sacrifice, you might think of a mission field or giving away a large amount of money. Sometimes that is what God is calling you to, but more often sacrifice looks like waking up at 3 a.m. to help out a sick friend, taking time during your evening to volunteer at a local soup kitchen, or praying with a co-worker. These are the little sacrifices that, when practiced through the course of years, reap the greatest rewards. A continual willingness to prioritize others over your own comfort is indicative of a heart surrendered to Jesus.

Following Jesus looks less like grand gestures and more like daily decisions to pick up your cross. A million small sacrifices add up to a lifetime of service. It’s easy to let your own goals get in the way of trusting God. There will always be opportunities to avoid giving because your finances aren’t exactly where you want them, to delay helping a neighbor because your schedule is already full, or to be short tempered with a child because you’ve had a stressful day. Instead of giving in to little displays of selfishness, remember that Christ has called you, and he has equipped you. He asks you to follow him, and he gives you everything you need to do it. You aren’t expected to love others out of your own strength. Your ability to lay your life down comes directly from being empowered by the grace of God.

What might be your “cross” today? How can you take it up and, in so doing, follow Jesus? Look for even the smallest opportunity to share his love. Ask him how you can set your own desires or comfort aside. As you seek him, he will soften your heart and teach you how to hear and obey his voice.