Take Up Your Cross

As I parked my car outside the polling place, I saw him out of the corner of my eye. There's no telling how many elections he's seen come and go. Crossing the street, his feet inched along beneath his walker, bit by bit. His feet never left the ground, instead he shuffled them forward and backwards like a cross country skier. A cross country skier moving in slow motion. His once tall and healthy frame was doubled over at the waist. After all, life is hard on the body. The grimace on his face proved to onlookers just how painful the process was, at least for a man his age. Finally reaching his car, he began the process of returning home. He pulled the driver's door closed and away he went.

I stopped by the early voting location that day around 12:30pm. I had just finished eating the two fish/two chicken combo at Captain Ds, and my stomach was already angry with me for my dining decision. For the older gentleman above however, casting a vote that day was more than running by on his lunch break. The process of arriving was no doubt time consuming and arduous. It wasn't a simple drive over for him, it was a journey. However, there he was...alone...doing what he felt called to do. He was doing his civic duty. He was taking a stand. He obviously knew the importance of what he was doing, which is why he took the great effort required to show up. He didn't complain. He didn't make excuses. He simply made it happen. Others would have him believe his single vote didn't matter. That just one vote had no real significance. He obviously knew better.

As I was thinking about that older gentleman, the above image came to mind. There's been no greater sacrifice throughout history. Walking the distance to the place where He would eventually take his last breath, His feet inched beneath His cross, never leaving the ground, instead He likely shuffled them forward and backwards like a cross country skier. A cross country skier moving in slow motion. His once tall and healthy frame doubled over at the waist. After all, carrying the weight of the cross and the sin of all people is hard on the body. The grimace on His face proved to onlookers just how painful the process was, even for a man His age. Finally reaching the location of the crucifixion, He began the process of returning home. He closed His eyes and away he went.

Christ arriving at the place where He was to be nailed to the cross, was no doubt time consuming and arduous. It wasn't a simple walk for Him, it was a journey. However, there He was...alone...doing what He felt called to do. He was taking a stand. He obviously knew the importance of what He was doing, which is why He took the great effort required to show up. He didn't complain. He didn't make excuses. He simply made it happen. Others would have Him believe His single life didn't matter. That  just one life had  no real significance. He obviously knew better.

Very often the "right" thing to do, is the difficult thing to do. However, doing the right thing and following Jesus is what we are called to do. Christ himself tells us to "take up our cross and follow Him." (Matthew 16:24-26). Being a person of faith and a true follower of Christ seems more and more difficult each and every day. We live in a broken world, filled with broken people. Hate is all around us. It's on the news, it's on the streets. The world needs Christ followers now more than ever. Following Christ's examples and His teachings at all times, admittedly is nearly impossible...but that is what we are called to do.

We drive by the homeless man whose sign is old and dingy, his hand extended and empty. "Somebody should help that man!" We hear of a friend who has lost his job and he's having a hard time. "Somebody should call to check on him!" Another school and church and theater is littered with the bodies of innocent people, they died not for anything they did, but for the hate in the heart of their killer. "Somebody should do something!"

The weight of the cross is heavy. Carrying the cross and following Jesus isn't easy. However it's worth it, and it's time. Take up your cross.

Much Love, Adam

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