The Cost Of Our Cross

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?

Matthew 16:24-26

When we choose to take up our cross and follow Jesus, sometimes the greatest cost will not be to us but to the people we love.  It is easy for us to live under Gods commands and obey the things He asks of us because we have walked with Him already.  We have seen His faithfulness and we trust that His way is best.  Yes some times are harder than others but we are able to go to His word and be renewed by His promise of provision and hope.  Unfortunately, there will be people close to us who do not understand our faith, who do not relate to Jesus in the same way we do nor have they heard God's voice as clearly.  

Jesus knew that to take up His cross meant suffering for not only Him but His closest friends and mother.  He knew the pain it would cause for His mother to watch him die a painful, excruciating death.  His friends would have to suffer watching him be beaten and hung on a cross, mocked and spit on.  His disciples would be scattered, and confused fearing for their very lives.  Jesus knew they would suffer, that they would not completely understand God's calling on His life, and they would have their own cross to carry because of His choice to obey.  

When we choose to obey God there will be people close to us who do no understand.  They may have their own cross to carry because of the choice to carry ours.  Friends, do not let that stop you from obeying God's call on your life.  Don't refuse to listen to what God is asking of you out of fear for how it will affect your loved ones.  If the call on your heart is that important to God then you can trust that he will take care of the people who are affected.  Satan will try and make you feel guilty.  He will try everything he can to make you choose to disobey!  Don't ever try to "protect" your loved ones by disobeying God.  The result of disobedience is far more damaging than saving your loved one from suffering and pain.