denial

We are to take up our cross: That was what the message was about tonight during bible study. This is a pretty familiar passage so the meaning came as no surprise to me - we are to follow the Lord and deny ourselves everything that is not of the Lord.

While asking for suggestions as to what the phrase "take up your cross" means, the Lord revealed something new to me. Well, not new in a literal sense, but something that I had not explicitly thought of being connected with this passage. If we are to be carrying a cross, there is little room to be carrying anything else. In fact, if you saw "The Passion of the Christ," Jesus was unable to carry anything else while he was carrying his cross. It was impossible, not feasible, unable to be done.

The Lord spoke to me and reminded me of the same thing - that if we are to carry our cross, we must first put down everything else we are holding on to. It will be impossible for us to successfully carry both - yes, we may be able to drag one along, set it down and return for the other, but that is not what the Lord intended. He wants us to empty our hands, release everything that is not of him, pick up our cross, and follow him. There is blessing in obedience.