A Little Wooden Cross

Once when I was still driving trucks all over the country, I had some time to sit and read and think and pray. I found a little piece of wood broken off from a pallet and began to whittle on it and decided to make a small cross that I could wear. So, with this little piece of wood and a little piece of string I fashioned a small cross. On the cross I wrote the scripture reference Luke 9:23-24.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 

Of the 3 references to this statement that we find in the Gospels, this is the only one that says, “daily”, and that spoke to me and still does.

The idea of daily taking up my cross seems harsh, and yet though it is referred to often I don’t know if I have ever heard it explained in a practical way.

This morning, in my quiet time, I went to a familiar passage in James 1:2

My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, (good news bible)

Other translations say “Count it all joy”.

That idea of all joy really struck me. Something in me rose up in rebellion against that idea. Turns out I’ve been pretty much of a grump for a long time. Things irritate me and I get grumpy. The weather is unpleasant and I get depressed. People are offensive and I get impatient. Circumstances are difficult and I get burdened down. These are just a few kinds of trials and I have had the exact wrong attitude. Scripture says Count it all joy.

The cross that I wear around my neck is to remind me to put my natural reactions on the cross that should be active in my heart, with joy.

This is a way for me to take up my cross daily.

The End of Conflict

This morning I came home from buying coffee because we just didn’t get it done yesterday. I was hungry and wanted some potatoes and eggs for breakfast.

Now we have changed some things under the sink and Jeannie wanted to clean out under the sink before we put the dish drainer back under there. She had told me this. I knew it. I was conscious of it.

I wanted to fix some potatoes and eggs. The dish drainer was on the counter, in my way. So I put it back under the sink, where it belongs. Or should I say I lit the fuse.

What followed may be familiar to many of you. She said… I said…she said…I said…etc. This was followed by some tears some apologies, some more tears and some more apologies; and then by peace restored.

What happened? Does this have to happen every now and then? Is there a solution?

The answers in reverse order are; yes, no, and well let me explain.

What Happened was I did not allow the cross to work in my life. I did not crucify my flesh with its lusts and desires (Gal 5:24). I wanted what I wanted and so I did what I wanted in spite of what my wife wanted. Then something else happened, Jeannie didn’t have the cross in her life. So when I told her why I had done what I did, she responded by being offended. And so it began and continued for far too long.

Jesus says, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

We both failed to take up our cross and deny ourselves. The cross is the solution to every conflict. James says, “Where do all the fights and quarrels among you come from? They come from your desires for pleasure, which are constantly fighting within you.” (James 4:1)  All conflict comes from this cause. If you read on you will see the extension of how this goes and it doesn’t matter if we are talking about dish drainers or you name it.

In the past I was acquainted with a happy man named Bratlie who said, “If one person has the cross in their life there is peace, if two people have the cross in their life there is fellowship.” If one person will take up their cross and faithfully carry that cross there is no possibility for conflict with that person.

It is something to think about.