Take Up Your Cross
“If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” Mathew 16:24
Over the holidays I had the opportunity to watch the newest Spiderman movie. The story was about his desire to throw off the responsibility of being a superhero. The burden of Spiderman’s extraordinary ability to fight crime stood in the way of him living the normal, everyday life of his alter ego Peter Parker. In the face of a menace that threatened the lives of every person in his city, he made a decision. Instead of utilizing his unique talents gifts and abilities to change his world, he chose to live each day responsible only to himself and his immediate circle of friends.
Although no one I know has the power of a comic book hero, we all are challenged with the same choice. Let’s face it…most of us are fine with leading a lifestyle that comfortably suits our own interest. But during the course of any given day we all have encounters with people whose lives are being threatened. Enemies of hopelessness, disappointment, and uncertainty are constantly lurking in the dark shadows of our areas of influence waiting to take hold of their next victim.
You may not have the ability to jump tall buildings in a single bound. But you do have the ability to compassionately share your life with at least one person in need. Even in your weakest moments, God can empower you to do the impossible (see Acts 1:8 & 2 Cor. 12:9). It is God’s power working through your talents, gifts and abilities that can transform someone’s life for all eternity.
In Mathew 16:24-26 Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?”
This scripture is clear in letting us know that the responsibility of following Christ is great. Jesus rescued our lives from sin and death, so that we could partner with Him in doing the same for others. None of us individually has the ability to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. However, Christ is not asking us to carry the burdens of the world. That is ultimately his job. He only asks that we deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him.
So that you know, Spiderman rose to the occasion and saved the day. While that makes for a great story line in a movie, he will never show up in your neighborhood and change one thing. Which means, the people in you sphere of influence need a hero. Maybe that hero is you. Will you take up your cross?
Written by Eric Canaday. This article may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes in any medium, without applying for permission. © Laborers In Action, Inc.
Over the holidays I had the opportunity to watch the newest Spiderman movie. The story was about his desire to throw off the responsibility of being a superhero. The burden of Spiderman’s extraordinary ability to fight crime stood in the way of him living the normal, everyday life of his alter ego Peter Parker. In the face of a menace that threatened the lives of every person in his city, he made a decision. Instead of utilizing his unique talents gifts and abilities to change his world, he chose to live each day responsible only to himself and his immediate circle of friends.
Although no one I know has the power of a comic book hero, we all are challenged with the same choice. Let’s face it…most of us are fine with leading a lifestyle that comfortably suits our own interest. But during the course of any given day we all have encounters with people whose lives are being threatened. Enemies of hopelessness, disappointment, and uncertainty are constantly lurking in the dark shadows of our areas of influence waiting to take hold of their next victim.
You may not have the ability to jump tall buildings in a single bound. But you do have the ability to compassionately share your life with at least one person in need. Even in your weakest moments, God can empower you to do the impossible (see Acts 1:8 & 2 Cor. 12:9). It is God’s power working through your talents, gifts and abilities that can transform someone’s life for all eternity.
In Mathew 16:24-26 Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?”
This scripture is clear in letting us know that the responsibility of following Christ is great. Jesus rescued our lives from sin and death, so that we could partner with Him in doing the same for others. None of us individually has the ability to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. However, Christ is not asking us to carry the burdens of the world. That is ultimately his job. He only asks that we deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him.
So that you know, Spiderman rose to the occasion and saved the day. While that makes for a great story line in a movie, he will never show up in your neighborhood and change one thing. Which means, the people in you sphere of influence need a hero. Maybe that hero is you. Will you take up your cross?
Written by Eric Canaday. This article may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes in any medium, without applying for permission. © Laborers In Action, Inc.
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