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Pick it up daily

Wake up -- Pray -- Go to work -- Come home -- Bed -- Repeat.
I am sure most of North America has a schedule pretty much like mine. Life looks the same in almost all directions, and so easily we can feel like we are stuck in a rut with nowhere to turn. We could accomplish our work with our eyes closed. Except -- I work in childcare, so maybe I need to keep my eyes wide open for any mischief. Our minds wander to other places, whether to things we need to get done after work, things we should have done yesterday after work but made some kind of excuse to not do them, places we rather be, or (like in my case) to far distant lands! Every time I find myself going through the motions of the daily grind, my mind comes to beautiful faces that I cherish deep within me. Faces so unlike my own, and my heart always longs to be with them.

In the gospel of Luke, Jesus asks His chosen twelve -- those closest to Him -- those who witnessed everything, "Who do the crowds say I am?" They spouted out answers, all of which were correct. I am sure each were wondering why it mattered. Maybe their minds were in other places, I am sure mine would be! Then, in true Jesus form, He brings it home, "Okay, that is fine and all, but who do YOU say I am?" I always try and place myself in the shoes of the disciples when He asks this question. They do not know the end of the story. And even if they grasp that Jesus is the long waited Messiah, He would not be the messiah they were looking for. Knowing myself, I would keep quiet, not knowing the right words to speak. Surely, I would not be Peter, who boldly proclaims the truth I would be wishing for deep within my heart! "You are the Messiah" he proclaims. Oh the joy that filled their hearts must have tingled all the way down to their toes! Jesus was right there to remind them what this truly meant. That He would die for the sins of the world, and rise again on the third day in victory over death. He then makes a statement that will follow me all of my days. "Whoever wants to follow me must deny themselves and pick up their cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23).
Daily. I must DAILY pick up my cross if I want to be a disciple of Jesus. I do not pick up my cross only if I am in Africa. Not simply when I am up to the challenge or have some free time, but daily. A midst the rut and muck of an everyday ordinary life, I am to pick up my cross and follow my Savior. Jesus wants us right where we are, and uses those ordinary, repetitious, schedules to bring a story of redemption and glory for His name.
You see, within those mundane daily activities, we receive the opportunity to witness the grace of God to those we continually come in contact. Our families, friends, co workers, neighbors baristas, waitresses of favorite restaurants, grocery store employees, and so many more witness our lives CONSTANTLY. They see us through our worst. If we "pick up our cross daily" we become the example of Christ, who poured love over so many as He slowly died on His cross -- by far His worst. If we deny ourselves, and act in love as Christ did, maybe others will begin to discover the truth for themselves. What a joy to witness such revelation!
And this is why I choose to pick up my cross daily. When nothing goes my way -- when work days are long and hard -- when my car overheats in the middle of 5 o'clock traffic -- I choose to follow Christ, and be His example to a broken world-- no matter where I live or what I do.

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