Take up your Cross Daily

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NIV

In an article titled “79-Year-Old Oklahoma Woman Completes 1,000 Consecutive 5Ks” published last week, the following was reported; An Oklahoma woman determined not to let the pandemic stand in the way of her health and well-being decided to attempt a goal of running or walking a 5K every day for 100 days—and she’s just crushed it. Mae Dean Erb, 79, has now completed her 1,000th daily 5K, just two months shy of her 80th birthday. “I thought maybe I’ll do 10 days, and then I just kept going. I just kept marking them off on my calendar,” Erb told the Cherokee Phoenix, a local newspaper. “It’s a lot easier than most people think it is once you start, especially if you hold yourself accountable.” Still, 1,000 isn’t good enough for the almost-octogenarian, as she has continued to complete a daily 5K since crossing the milestone. “I’m afraid good habits are as hard to break as bad ones. I can’t imagine getting up one morning and not doing a 5K after doing this many,” she said.

And you know, when it comes to ‘good habits’ that are worth keeping, taking up our crosses daily to follow Jesus is a practice that we should never stop or even imagine giving up. You see, there is no ’gooder’ goal that you and I could ever pursue or achieve that will reap greater benefits both now and for eternity than following Jesus Christ for a lifetime. But you can be sure that it won’t be easy. There is no such thing as a "halfway disciple." Which means that to truly follow Christ, He has to become everything to us. We must willingly make it a habit to deny or surrender our will to take hold of and embrace His will for our lives. 

So hold yourself accountable to do what it takes to run the spiritual race every day my friend. Begin each morning with Bible study and prayer and you’ll soon find that this ‘good habit’ you’ve formed has transformed your life in ways you could never have imagined. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that to be a disciple of Jesus over a lifetime will require the utmost discipline and sacrifice— but that it will be so worth it when we cross that final finish line and hear the words, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Give us a heart to follow You Lord and the strength and grit to let nothing stop us from taking up our crosses daily. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!