Instant Gratification

Some people have a hard life.

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, 'If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.' - Mark 8:34

As a child, I remember being told that in this life, we will suffer, but that suffering will lead to eternal life, so we should be thankful for all that comes our way, good and bad.

I don't know if people believe that anymore.

It seems we all want life to be great now, not putting as much credence in the promise of an afterlife.

The suffering we may endure as followers may come in a variety of forms, but I don't think Jesus was talking about illnesses and physical afflictions.  I think he was talking about abuse fir his sake.

When we become followers, we discover that there are people who will take advantage of our good nature, people who will ridicule us or seek to con us, believing we are good-hearted and easy prey.

Everyday someone will come up to me and ask me for help.  They know it is my nature and my ministry to want to help, so they come.

So often, we choose to find less direct ways to help people.  That is why charitable organizations like ours exist, so we can help without having to make contact in too direct a way.

But taking up our cross is all about being out there in public, being direct and visible.  Those who volunteer to be on the front line and get personal with those they serve are an example of cross-bearers, though they may not think their service is a burden.

If all of us did as Jesus asks, there would be no need for charitable organizations.  We would all just help one another in person, face-to-face, as friends and family.

So, consider Jesus' command to take up our crosses as an appeal to get out there and be loving of one another.  It will make a world of difference for all we encounter.

And it makes the cross bearable.

More to come...