Jesus Answer to the Fear of Cross-Carrying

Jesus said, “Carry your cross and follow me.” Luke 9:23

I said, “Cross? I don’t want a cross. I’m afraid.”

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25

I said, “I believe . . . I want the life You give.”

And Jesus said, “Carry your cross, follow me, and live.
Just trust me. Obey the Father’s will. Love and Live”

I said, “Just trust and obey.”

He said, “Yes.”

I said, “Just live with love.
Live out loud with love for You and others.”

He said, “Exactly.”

I used to believe the obey part. The trust part was harder.
I wanted to hold back. I wanted to know where trust would lead.
I wanted to avoid vulnerability.

But truthfully I hear familiar words, “How’s that workin’ for you?”

Cross-carrying is part of life.
I can try to control and avoid, but crosses happen.
Fear and worry can’t prevent them.

Hard words are the beginning of cross-carrying.

I want life. 
I will trust and obey.
I will confess and repent my failures.
I will lay my fear at the cross.
I will love You and others. 
I will live.
Not my will but Yours…

Cross-carrying is the beginning of life.
Jesus came to give us eternal life.
He also came to give us abundant life. Right here. Right now.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10

If like me, you’ve ever struggled with the thought of carrying your cross
I’m here to encourage you.

Just live.
Follow.

Jesus will lead you.
And give you all you need to trust and obey.
All you need to carry your cross.

“And so I tell you, keep on asking,
and you will receive what you ask for.
Keep on seeking, and you will find.
Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
Luke 11:9

Lord give me all I need to carry my cross to the foot of Yours.

Take me to the cross – where my burdens fall.

Take me to the cross – where repentance cries.

Take me to the cross – where love pours out. 

Take me to the cross – where hope is found. 

 Cross-Carrying Around the Blogosphere

I’ve gotten to know Andrea Portilla through 5 Minutes for Faith.
Her writing home is Beautiful Craziness, where she says the following:
“I write about my callings, passions and Jesus needing life and
my hope is that you will be encouraged and equipped
to walk faithfully in your own beautiful crazy life!”

Andrea’s post – Flying, the Whole World and Faith will
encourage you to look to the One who holds and watches.

Jennifer Dukes Lee describes herself as a Storyteller and Grace Dweller –
She writes “I believe in you, because I believe in Jesus.
You matter to Him, and you matter to me.”

Her post – Who Are We, If Not People of the Cross is
powerful and filled with truth. It will bless you.

Deborah Perkins writes about faith at His Inscriptions – a ministry
devoted to Knowing God’s Word and Hearing His Voice. 

“A severe hearing loss from childhood caused Deborah Perkins
to develop what she now calls her secret weapon:
tuning in to God’s voice.”

Take a few minutes to read her post –
The Big Lie Christians Still Believe
It’s guaranteed to make you stop and think…

Here’s a smile for those of you who are ready for
winter to lose it’s punch.
Loved this photo at Happy Place.

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