THE PADDED CROSS (Revised, author unknown)
Well, here I am, Lord! You said, "Take up your cross", and I'm ready to do so. To be honest, self-denial is not something I'm excited about, but since You said to do it, I’m here to obey. I'm ready to surrender my life, come what may! You probably wish that more people were like me - ready and willing to take up their crosses.
Mind if I look over these crosses? I hate to be picky, but I'd like a shiny, new one. Hmmm – nothing like that here; guess I'll have to keep looking. By the way, do You offer a padded version? After all, I want to attract others to You, and a comfortable cross is more appealing. And if it's not asking too much, do You have a cross that folds up? After all, crosses aren't popular in some places. I may need to hide it under my coat if there is a risk of offending others.
Well, there's not much choice here. The only crosses I see are heavy and made of coarse wood. Wow, just imagining the splinters sends chills down my back! Don't You have something more distinctive, Lord? I can tell you right now that none of my friends will be impressed by these. If I’m seen lugging around a huge, heavy cross, people might think that I'm a fanatic. Even my family will be embarrassed.
What's that you say? It's either the old rugged cross…or nothing? Is that fair? Don’t get me wrong, I want to be Your disciple, but let’s be reasonable! It's a different world than when You were crucified. No one carries a cross like that anymore, or at least not many people that I know.
Now, let's see. No blood, okay? I can't stand the sight of blood. Lord? Lord? LORD? Now where do you suppose He went?
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Pleasing Christ is not always easy. No one can carry a cross AND be concerned with convenience and making a good impression. Sooner or later, something has to give. May it NEVER be the cross. "…whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27).
A recommitted me in 2023!
Dennis
Well, here I am, Lord! You said, "Take up your cross", and I'm ready to do so. To be honest, self-denial is not something I'm excited about, but since You said to do it, I’m here to obey. I'm ready to surrender my life, come what may! You probably wish that more people were like me - ready and willing to take up their crosses.
Mind if I look over these crosses? I hate to be picky, but I'd like a shiny, new one. Hmmm – nothing like that here; guess I'll have to keep looking. By the way, do You offer a padded version? After all, I want to attract others to You, and a comfortable cross is more appealing. And if it's not asking too much, do You have a cross that folds up? After all, crosses aren't popular in some places. I may need to hide it under my coat if there is a risk of offending others.
Well, there's not much choice here. The only crosses I see are heavy and made of coarse wood. Wow, just imagining the splinters sends chills down my back! Don't You have something more distinctive, Lord? I can tell you right now that none of my friends will be impressed by these. If I’m seen lugging around a huge, heavy cross, people might think that I'm a fanatic. Even my family will be embarrassed.
What's that you say? It's either the old rugged cross…or nothing? Is that fair? Don’t get me wrong, I want to be Your disciple, but let’s be reasonable! It's a different world than when You were crucified. No one carries a cross like that anymore, or at least not many people that I know.
Now, let's see. No blood, okay? I can't stand the sight of blood. Lord? Lord? LORD? Now where do you suppose He went?
***************************************************
Pleasing Christ is not always easy. No one can carry a cross AND be concerned with convenience and making a good impression. Sooner or later, something has to give. May it NEVER be the cross. "…whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27).
A recommitted me in 2023!
Dennis
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