Cross-Carryin’
Well, my stars, I’ll tell you what! Hurry and get that bowl o’ mouth-waterin’ chick’n and dumplin’s with hot, buttered cornbread, buttercup. Then come on back out here on this here porch with your chow ‘cause got some talkin’ to do. God’s promises are steadier than one o’ them there fence posts sunk deep in Texas red clay, and His plans for you is packed full o’ hope and peace, even when life feels wobblier than a purty lil’ newborn colt on a muddy hillside. And just like Proverbs 3:5–6 keeps on ‘a-remindin’ us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” That right there is the whole biscuit and gravy, friend.
Jesus done gathered up the crowd and said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you gonna have ta’ give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). Now buttercup, He wasn’t ‘a-talkin’ about your cranky supervisor, your leaky roof, or that cousin who eats up all your banana puddin’. Folks today treat “my cross to bear” like it’s a pesky ol’ mosquito instead o’ what it really was, a real death sentence.
Back in first century Jerusalem, if you saw somebody ‘a-totin’ a cross, you knew they weren’t headed to no picnic. They was headed to die. So, when Jesus said, “Take up your cross,” He meant you was ‘a-dyin’ to your own way o’ doin’ things, you know, that ol’ stubborn streak, your “I already know what’s best for me,” and your “Lord, bless my plan instead o’ Yours.”
But this here’s the sweet tea truth of that situation: Jesus didn’t call us to misery. He said, “My purpose is to give ‘em a rich and satisfyin’ life” (John 10:10). It ain’t rich like a lottery ticket but rich like peace ‘a-settlin’ softer than a barn cat ‘a-curlin’ in your lap. But that life only comes on His terms.
And, bug, He meant it when He said, “If you are ‘a-tryin to hang on to your life, you’re ‘a-gonna be ‘a-losin’ it. But if you give it up for my sake, you’re ‘a-gonna be ‘a-savin’ it” (Mark 8:35). That there means ‘a-lettin’ go of them hopes you’re ‘a-holdin’ on to tighter ‘n Grandma’s purse at a yard sale, you know, your “I’m ‘a-gonna do it myself,” attitude and your rooster-like need to boss the whole barnyard.
Takin’ up your cross is like ‘a-makin’ a big ol’ holy hop off the porch into territory you ain’t never tiptoed through before, but mercy, the life ‘a-waitin’ there is sweeter than a fresh-baked peach pie ‘a-coolin’ on a windowsill.
Father, I choose You above all else. Give me the courage to lay down my desires, surrender my pride, and carry the cross You’ve entrusted to me. Teach me to love, forgive, and trust like You. My heart, my will, and my future are Yours. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
Well, I reckon that’s enough heart plowin’ and soul ‘rakin’ for one day. Now scoot on out there, tater tot, and shoulder that cross with a grin like a spunky lil’ goat ‘a-scramblin’ up the hill it was born to conquer. And don’t you be ‘a-forgettin’ that the life Jesus has ‘a-waitin’ for you is richer than peach cobbler with ice cream ‘a-meltin’ all over it on a scorchin’ Texas Sunday in August.
With joy,
Gwen
