We live in a society and culture that is not willing to do the tough things in life. It seems like the things that feel right, make us comfortable, require little effort, and indulge our impulses take precedent. We work so hard to walk the easy road, but the thing we don’t realize is that the easy road actually is self-harming.
Jesus makes this quite clear when He called out to all who were listening, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Crosses were heavy. Crosses were shameful. Crosses hurt. But crosses were worth it! The easy road is fun at first, but results in fear and regrets. However, the path of the cross is hard, but it results in victory and fruit.
Jesus indeed says, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). However, we must remember that a yoke requires two. When we are yoked together with Christ, and he is the one truly carrying the burdens, it is not that our suffering is lessened or life becomes easier, but that our faith and endurance is strengthened, and by means of this truth, the burden we would carry within our spirit is lightened knowing Who is with us along the way.
When we are willing to make the sacrifices and carry our crosses for the sake of Christ, this is when we truly start living the Christian life. This is when we start making an eternal difference. This is when Christ will work “in [us], both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13).
So don’t be satisfied with comfortable. Don’t shy away from the difficult, but stand strong in order to raise the flag of Christ for all to see. Make the sacrifices necessary to be used of God greatly because IT’S WORTH IT! Don’t be discouraged my brothers and sisters. Rather let the sacrifice of our Lord be emblazoned on your hearts so that you may take His same passion and love with you to the lost and dying around us as He transforms our own hearts by the power of His Word.
In Christ,
Pastor Chris
