Taking Up Your Cross Daily: What does it mean?

I grew up in church but never understood what it meant when I would hear others in the body of Christ say “Take up your cross.”

It wasn't until now that I began to learn what it means and how to do it.  This is a daily thing that has to be done. At the age of 15 my siblings and I lost our mother. I was the oldest of three. Our mother always encouraged me to have a relationship with Jesus and as far back as I can remember I did. I have always loved Christ even through life's trials and pain. 

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. ~1 Corinthian 13:7

I have always loved to read books but the Bible was one that I didn't really understand. If I'm being honest there are times in my journey now that I come across scriptures that are controversial and hard for me to understand. 

On those days, I stop what I am reading and begin looking deeper into the part of the scripture that stood out the most to me. You know that part of the scripture or word that's tugging at your heart?  That's God speaking to you.  Sometimes it may just be one single word or phrase. For example, Jesus told His followers to “take up their cross.”

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciple, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. ~Mark 8:34 NLT

What does this mean?

I believe Jesus is asking those who are willing to follow Him to lay all things as they know it down, by becoming vulnerable to Him.  Submitting the things of the world over to Him, our thoughts, our pain and suffering, our weaknesses that we so often try to hide. God wants it all!  Yes even the embarrassment and the shame that you buried, or at least thought you did until it showed back up. 

God will and can use every part of our story for our good as well as for His kingdom. When we take up our cross, we do so by turning every strength and weakness over to Jesus. It is then we begin to experience true freedom. 

At last, we have freedom, for Christ has set us free!  We must always cherish this truth (stand strong) and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past. ~Galatians 5:1 TPT

Simple Prayer: Lord I repent for trying to do things in my own will and not your will. Please forgive me. I believe in you and I want Your will for my life over any other will including my own. Open my heart to feel the things of You. Open my mind that I think as You do. Open my eyes so that I may see my life as well as those you have assigned to me life as You see them. Open my ears that I may hear all that You may incline my ears to hear from You. May I forever follow You and Your ways, picking up my cross daily. In Jesus name, Amen