Take Up Your Cross

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

We all have something that we simply cannot shake. For some, it’s an issues with anger. For others, it is some form of addiction. For you, it might be something that you’ve been praying and asking God to take away from you, but He simply has not. For all of us, it’s simply carrying our imperfections as we follow Jesus. Paul talks about a “thorn” that he could not get rid of (2 Corinthians 12) that God explained as being weakness that would glorify God’s strength.

Jesus wants us to carry those crosses through life as a reminder that we need Him on our walk through this life. Without following Him, and leaning on His strength, we would simply fall. That is why it is important to pray constantly for strength in all things, and ask Him to guide you in life. After that, simply accept your calling in life. We all have one, even if we’re not on staff at a church or ministry.

Father, I am willing to carry my cross with your strength. Please help remind me that while I can’t shed my sin nature, I can ask for Your help. Make me strong. Amen.

Written by Dan
This is my collection of bible study lessons and book reviews. I am the Pastor of Northern Light Church in St. Helen, Michigan. I am also a graduate of the Willmington School of the Bible, part of the Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity.