Take Up the What???

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

Luke 9:23

"Take up his cross..........................." A good everyday explanation of the cross is giving. The cross is something you do. Every time you give, a little bit of you dies. You die to self. A little bit of the part of you that wants to run your own life...........the part that wants to leave God out and not include others........dies. Every time you give of yourself...........love, energy, talents, time, or money........a big part of you comes alive. After the cross comes the joy of the Resurrection.

"Follow me......." The miracle of conversion take place in an instant---in that moment in time you become a Christian. But it takes a lifetime to become a follower; a disciple, of Jesus. A disciple of the Lord learns of Jesus and follows Him, day in and day out. Every day is a new day in the now. You measure your life by Christ's life. You are like an iceberg in that about 1/7th of you is above the surface. Underneath the surface, hidden from view is the real you, your personality, your deep longings, your likes and dislikes-----your secret sins.

At conversion, most of you is still submerged. But as you meet conflicts, needs, and problems you emerge and grow in your Christian life. Christ can give you the miracle of a changed heart. For that miracle you must pick your cross and follow Him.