So, my partner in crime (the professor that I co-teach with) with our block class of students is a great man, Scott Johnson. He brought up an interesting topic in class yesterday that got me thinking on a few things.

He brought up that there is an interesting paradox in the Bible between us “taking up/picking up” vs. “letting go”, in that we are told to do both. . . . . . so let’s look at this more closely to try and get some clarity

So, we are instructed by Jesus in Luke 9:23:

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”  So what does this mean, . . . well,. . . we learn from other parts of Jesus’ ministry in the Bible that this would include things like – loving others outrageously, feeding the hungry, comforting the hurting, being close to the broken-hearted, loving other’s first . . . before judging them, showing up at places you “should” never be at – or being around those people and loving them – maybe when no one else will. . . ., our cross can include many very difficult things that we do as God’s loving and merciful hands and feet. . . . . . which leads me at times to wonder about Matthew 11:30
“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” . . . . . . yeah right!!! – sure doesn’t seem like it from my above description  -

But . . . . . be honest with me for a second. . . . . what is it that really burdens you day in and day out? . . . . because for me. . . . it is none of these things. . . sure, these things may drain a little of my physical energy, break my heart (some emotional energy), stretch my comfort zone, and use up some of my time,. . . . but that is nothing compared to what truly weighs me down. . . . . my thoughts!  

See, for me it is thoughts. . . . my mind. . . that really burdens me. . . . reminders of past shame and guilt, times that I have failed, given up, or really disappointed someone. . . . the countless “what if’s”  . . . . the hours of second guessing . . . .  leading to doubts about my potential in the future - am I good enough?, am I going to screw this up . . . again?. . .am I strong enough to resist it this time?. . . . and then dread kicks in. . . . .about upcoming events, performances, opportunites – either because I know what is coming – like the knawing of a constant temptation. . . or the opposite. . . I have no idea what is coming!!!! – I can’t predict it. . . and then you throw in trying to plan for the future. . . .you know. . . so you’re not in debt, so your kids can go to college, so you can get good grades, so you can retire, so you can get a good job someday, so you can keep your job, so you can go out with him/her, so you will not be tempted, so you will be good a good wife/husband, so you can put food on the table, so you can travel someday, so you can. . . . . . . . . .

Do you see it? . . . . . have you figured it out? . . . .

What is common about the things involved in taking up our cross?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the difficulty and the opportunity is all held within the word “daily” . . . . . effort for, energy for, provision for, stress for . . . today. – and God says that is plenty for me and you to deal with (Matthew 6:34). Each day has enough trouble of its own. - so, . . . He makes a deal with us. . . . . if you let go of the past and the future Ted. . . . . you know, all of those thoughts that stress you out, overwhelm you, and generally render you incapable of operating at your max capacity. . . if you let go of that. . . . . . I’ll take care of it, . . . . seriously, . . . I know you might have heard me say this before. . . but, I want you to really believe it . . . right now, . . . today . . . . – - your past shame/doubt/guilt – gone and forgotten, . . . your future. . . . you’re worth soooooo much more to me than the birds of the air and flowers of the field. . . . . . . I got your back. . . I got you. . . trust me. . . . again - . . . remember the promises I have made to you, . . . . . the only way I can catch you . . . . . is if you let go . . . . . . .