Take Up Your Cross

 

My husband and I have been going through a new member’s class at our church. It’s been a great time for us to renew our understanding of the church. When you have been involved in church for so long, you can tend to lose focus. For us, this course has been a redirect, from the challenges of our life to the reason we are here in the first place. Today, during our study time we were reminded what it means to be a disciple and that we are called to go and make disciples. In the explanation of what it means to be a disciple, Matthew 16:24 was used:  ^‘Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”’

Immediately I asked myself, “What does it mean to take up your cross?”   Our teacher says, “Whatever it takes; whatever it takes to follow Him.” I couldn’t help but think of the simplicity of that statement, yet in my heart I know I’m not doing whatever it takes. Whatever it takes, would require me to answer in love when I want to express my anger. Whatever it takes would require me to give up my comfort for the comfort of someone else. Whatever it takes would require me to allow God to take vengeance and for me to bless those who curse me or doing good to those who hate me ( Romans 12:18, 1Peter 3:9). Whatever it takes means letting go of what I want and letting God teach me what He wants.  

Whatever it takes seems so simple, yet so difficult at the same time.  I wanted to learn more about what this means and how to apply it to my life. In my search, I came across the following statement, “The pain of the cross can bring healing to your life so that you can bring glory to God in ANY circumstance.” (McDowell, 2013).  Any circumstance??? Yes, any circumstance. “We know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Does that mean God wants us to be hurt? Does that mean that God causes us to be hurt? No. It means that what the enemy meant for Evil, God meant for good. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20). Everything that I went through during the 9 years of abuse I endured, was meant to harm me, to isolate me, to strip me of my confidence, to steal away any support I had, to cause fear. It took me 9 years to realize that God did not want me to endure the abuse. All I heard was “God hates divorce” when if you take time to read the entire verse that this comes from, it actually says, “I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence. Therefore, keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate].” (Malachi 2:16).

God rescued me from the abuse. He brought people into my life that helped keep me and my children safe. He orchestrated every part of my rescue from beginning to end. I have no doubt about that. But he also took what was meant to hurt me and brought beauty from the ashes. Even at my lowest points God used each situation to reveal His Glory. My life was frightening, there were days I wondered if I’d die. Every day that I used Christ’s strength to get out of bed and live my life for Him, he showed me that he is my protector, my healer, my friend. My faith increased even in the little things that he did each day. Taking up your cross does not mean that God wants you to endure pain, but it does mean that he will bring healing to your life in a way that is complete and the kind of healing that only he can do, if you choose to pick up your cross and follow Him. The healing he brings may not match our idea of healing, but I promise you it will be much more amazing than what you asked for if you take the time to see it.

 When you pick up your cross every day, your faith is stretched to move beyond what you ever thought possible.” (McDowell, 2013).

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)

References:

McDowell, C. (2013, September 20). What Does It Mean To Take Up Your Cross Daily? Retrieved August 20, 2017, from http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/what-does-it-mean-to-take-up-your-cross-daily/