Don’t Do This Alone

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Taking someone a cup of coffee when she has treated you unkindly.

Smiling at the cashier when he has just spoken harshly.

Doing one of your spouse’s chores and hoping that he doesn’t even notice, much less reciprocate.

Taking on extra at work when you know that it will just encourage your coworker to give you her extra more regularly.

Getting down on the floor with your child rather than sticking him in front of the television so that you can read.

Denying yourself is wearying. Taking up your cross daily sometimes seems almost impossible.

Some days it almost seems easier to throw myself in front of the lions for Christ’s sake than to live my life for Him. Most days I’d much rather live for myself.

To die for a religion is easier than to live it absolutely. ~ Jorge Luis Borges

To deny myself and take up my cross every single day seems daunting and lonely.

Perhaps the lonely part of that is what makes it seem so daunting.

After all, the same Christ who told us to take up our cross had help carrying His own.

And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 

So gather around yourself those who are also striving to carry their cross. Seek out those who will encourage you to deny yourself.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

Imitate Christ in ALL His ways…for we were not meant to do this alone. 

Art credit: Photo of Christ carrying His cross by Asta Rastauskiene