THE HARD ROAD

Denying one’s self? Picking up your cross? We can read all the Scriptures that deal with taking up our crosses and following Christ. It is easy to give mental assent to these passages as we sit on our comfortable sofas at home or in the cozy and familiar setting of the local church. But when it comes to the reality of it all, few want to voluntarily undergo such hardship.

In the United States, for example, where wealth, pleasure seeking , and desire for many hours of personal leisure time abound, which of us will choose the path of suffering and self-denial? If I were a Christian living in Afganistan, maybe. But here in America?

Such things are nice spiritual ideals to read about. But to live them out in my daily life? I’m not quite sure if I’m ready to leave my comfort zones. After all, the Lord says that those who follow Him will be hated by the world. The Bible also tells us that if we suffer with Jesus we will also reign with Him. But do I actually want this? The reigning part, yes. The suffering part, no way!

It’s much easier for me to read about the brutal beatings that were inflicted upon the apostle Paul than to take such blows upon my own body. Not that many modern day Christians would ever experience such a level of persecution, anyhow. But most of us, I think are not ready for the pain that total devotion to Christ may bring.

Yet I need to be ready. I love the Lord and I want to give my life for service to the kingdom. To be used by Him as a living sacrifice, and for his divine purposes.

From the beginning the Lord Jesus told His disciples that the road would be difficult. It would be inconvenient, too, for I will have to put the things of God and my concern for others above my own wants and needs.

Thus may I therefore fully realize that the promise of His all-sufficient grace should be enough to inspire me to seek a deeper spiritual life. To welcome self-denial, and to continue, by this grace, to put my own selfish desires to death.

David Berkowitz

January 17, 2005