'Cross Carrying' Christianity?

Many believers say that their 'cross' is their particular problem they have which is distinct to them.  Carrying your cross is termed as putting up with the issue with a good attitude.  Actually cross carrying is something entirely different.  The aim of God in our walk is to make us in the image of Jesus.  This image is not just doing nice things or noble tasks but actually being transformed.  Many never get to real cross carrying because they lean on and become dependent on the 'stuff' of church, ministries and personalities.

There is a way of walking an authentic walk and that is to get back to an unhindered walk with the Lord.  But then you have to be subject to His ways.  That is uncomfortable but Jesus said that disciples must carry their own cross or they can't be His disciples (Luke 14:27).  The terminology is used because all followers of Jesus are on a program that leads to the death of 'self.'  Cross carriers are heading for a season of crucifixion... a time when several factors come together to destroy our willful selves.  

Like real crucifixion the process of death to self has similar elements:

• It hurts so much you will be utterly shocked at it's ferocity
• You cannot avoid it.  No matter what you do you are nailed!
• You will cry out for relief from God
• You will think God has forsaken you 
• It will feel like past hurts are being exploited
• It is suffocating
• You may shout at God because you are infuriated

Why does this have to happen?  Well, it's the only way to have us get fixed from willfulness and self.  People like me who have had some difficult things to deal with in life may feel like you could do with a break... not dragged through pain again!  That's hard but just imagine this:

In order to save willful and selfish people, the pure, holy and innocent Lamb of God was REALLY crucified.  I won't go into the details but this is absolute physical agony.  Worse still, in order for me to be united with God, Jesus had to be excluded from the Trinity.  The horror of this is unspeakable when we consider He had never experienced separation from his Father.  All of this was done by someone who doesn't deserve it.  The Father watched as His son endured the cross.  

I do deserve that which Jesus did for me.  Torturous pain, separation from God and humiliation from people is what I deserve yet I have been let off the hook by God.  When pain and agony comes in Christian life it is designed for my betterment.  My cross carrying is a real experience but not a punishment.  It is designed to heal.  While I'm struggling with the cross It feels shockingly hard and painful.  However, I know that this is part of God's purposes to fix me.  The Lord wants me to be more like Jesus and that is the best thing for me.  After a season of pain and suffering there is a season of walking in its result.  Whatever it was all for is evidenced in my life and will result in freedom.  

When you are in the pain of the cross remember whats coming... Resurrection!

Gary Ward