“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24
Life brings many opportunities to carry the cross. When that time comes – and it will – the soul must be prepared to take up its cross. But, so many souls drag their cross through the dirt. Allowing their cross to be a heavy burden that overwhelms their strength. The most they do it bear the weight. It crushes down upon them and presses them to the ground. They fall under its weight. It isn’t the weight or burden of the cross that overwhelms them, it is the soul’s attitude toward the cross that allows the cross’ weight to become too much.
We need to not drag our cross through life’s passions. We need to grab hold of the crosses life bring, throw the cross across our shoulders and lift the load. We need to carry the cross all the way to Calvary if necessary. Don’t let it drag it’s end through the dirt but lifting it fully upon our shoulders.
Yea, I know that sometimes the cross we are asked to carry so too much for our mortal frame. Even Christ fell under the weight of the burden of His Cross. It is in these times when the cross we are bearing is too much that we need to turn to community to bear some or even most of the weight for us. Jesus’ cross was overwhelming and He fell. “As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross.” Matthew 27:32
It is in the Church and our Godly brothers and sisters that we find strength to press on. And, it is through these men and women surrounding us that we at times find a shoulder to lessen part of the load of our cross.
In those months when my daughter was first diagnosed and very ill and those days in which I suffered my dark night, my wife and Emmaus brothers carried me. When the cross God was asking me to carry became too much to bear, the grabbed the beam and hefted it upon their shoulders. I believe at times they not only carried my cross but me as well. I will return this favor every time I can.
And, when the burden is too much with even others assisting, it is then when we see Jesus is under the cross carrying its full weight and is as well. I’ve had this vision at times of deepest struggle of a cross that will crush me in its weight. I am burdened and my knees shake in the strain. Then, I feel an arm against mine over the cross beam. The weight shifts off my back. I look to my right to see Jesus under my cross’s weight. The burden of my cross upon His back. As He smiles lightly at me, He says, “Come Ed, let us carry this together.”
Jesus calls us to take up our cross if we are to obtain the joys of Heaven. Don’t carry yours alone. Surround yourself with men and women with strong backs built on faith. They will carry you at times while you may carry them. But, through it all, it is Christ Himself Who is our strength and provides us with the help to climb that hill joyfully bearing our cross. It is Jesus beside us and Jesus at the peak of the mountain as our reward.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.