Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Gospel Luke 9:22-25
"Take up his cross daily and follow me" by "walking in His ways", "heeding His voice", and "holding fast to Him".
Even going back to the Old Testament, it's not an easy life to follow God. The commandments are many. Anyone who says that Jesus did away with all the hard stuff that comes along with believing in God is kidding themselves.
I can fall into that trap as well, thinking that because someone looks like they have the Christian life together, that it's "easy" for that person. But I see none of the struggle, none of the attacks from the devil that will come upon a person striving for the Christian life, striving to walk in His ways. All I can see is the fruits of their discipline of taking up their cross, daily, to follow Him.
I think that's one of my problems, is constancy. I hit a rough patch, and there goes everything. Instead of clinging all the more to Him, I run away, just as Peter ran away.
I am hopeful that this Lent is proving to be training season for my soul - to train me in self-discipline and constancy. Today I failed because I didn't want to get up early and pray. I am hopeful tomorrow is better. May I hold fast to the cross, walking behind Him on the way to Calvary, heeding His voice.
Amen
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