Matthew 10:38 (NLT)
“If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.”
In this verse, Jesus challenges us with a powerful statement that cuts right down to the meat of the matter. By its very nature, life is dynamic, ever-changing, and very tough sometimes. It can make us question ourselves and wonder why we were placed on this earth. Jesus Christ snaps us into awareness by giving it to us straight. We’re not here to do whatever we please, whenever we please. The cross our Lord and Savior is talking about is an ultimate sacrifice and a life of obedience to God. It will cost us something, just as everything else in life does.
To take up our cross is to submit ourselves fully to God’s plan, and this is sometimes difficult and uncomfortable. It is to choose His Will over our own, even when it challenges us in ways that expose our weaknesses, fears, and insecurities. The sacrifices we must make can stretch us in ways we never thought possible. We may have to give up things that are precious to us, like our comfort, our ambitions, or even our desires. However, what we lose will never compare to what we gain as we continue to seek God’s Kingdom first and live for Christ.
Consider the example of Moses. When God called him to deliver the Israelites from slavery, Moses hesitated. He felt unqualified and insecure about his ability to speak and lead the people. In Exodus 4:10 (NLT), Moses begged God, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” We can relate to Moses, right? He wasn’t good with speaking publicly, and someone might wonder why God picked him for this great task. Moses’ record is a reminder that God doesn’t always choose who we think are the most qualified or confident people for the job. He chooses those who are willing, despite their weaknesses.
Our Heavenly Father didn’t back down, but reassured Moses that He would empower him to fulfill the task. God often calls us into assignments that stretch and refine us. Like Moses, the things God calls us to often magnify our own insecurities and doubts, but this pushes us to rely on His strength, not our own.
When we think about what our “cross” might be, we have to ask ourselves some hard questions: What areas of our lives is God asking us to surrender? What is He calling us to do that feels too overwhelming, too uncomfortable, or just too far beyond what we think we’re capable of? Maybe it’s stepping into a ministry that feels way outside our qualifications or confronting a deep, personal challenge that forces us to grow in ways we didn’t expect. It’s easy to think, “This is too much. It’s too demanding.” And yes, some may see such a calling as harsh. But here’s what we have to remember always: God’s plans are never random. They are intentional and perfectly designed. He doesn’t call us to something without first preparing us for it. Even when it pushes us to places we thought we couldn’t go, we must be confident that He has thoroughly equipped us in Christ. Philippians 4:13 (NLT) reminds us, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Embracing our cross means that we participate in the sacrifice that Christ demonstrated on the cross. We are not called to a life of continual ease or comfort, but to a life of transformation and obedience. This is a holy life where we trust that walking in God’s Will allows us to experience His presence and power, and to do so in ways that far exceed what we could imagine for ourselves. Our crosses may be heavy at times, but they lead us to the deep fulfillment of walking in God’s purpose. Through surrendering to Him through Jesus Christ, we find the freedom, strength, and every other good thing He has destined for our lives. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“What Is Your Cross?”, written by KLizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.