Picking Up Our Cross

One of my favorite films, Forrest Gump, tells the fictional story of a kind-hearted, honest, developmentally challenged man. The film is chock-full of folksy wisdom, such as life being as unpredictable as choosing one yummy piece of chocolate candy from a large sampler box. Like Forrest Gump’s, my own life has been filled with many tasty life experience treats, such as meeting my wife for the first time in a local park. Those pleasant moments stand in contrast with painful challenges, such as the bitter experiences of my wife’s breast cancer, our daughter’s lupus, and my sister’s 40-year battle with multiple sclerosis. We never know what cross we believe God will call us to carry.

Imagine yourself in the place of Simon: "A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross" (Mark 15:21 NIV). The Romans compelled Simon, but to truly become Christ’s disciples, we must willingly take up our crosses and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-26, Matthew 16:24-27).

God weaves all our life experiences into His divine cosmic tapestry to help us grow in Christ-like character. Romans 8:28 guards our hearts and minds, teaching that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Simon’s carrying of the cross led up to the crucifixion of Jesus. Yet this cosmic tragedy became the steppingstone to the greatest blessing in history: the resurrection, which frees humanity from death, the devil, and sin, granting us eternal life. The worst becomes the best! 

The lesson is clear for us. No matter how painful the cross we bear in the seemingly mindless anarchy and unpredictability of this fallen world, that “roll-of-the-dice” experience that makes life appear unfair and illogical is used by our Creator of the universe to bring order out of chaos and a greater good in our lives and those we love.  

Crying may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning (see Psalm 30:5).

God used my caregiving cross to humble me, to make me less self-centered, and increase my empathy for others’ suffering. As the Apostle Paul states, we learn through these crosses to not look out only for ourselves, "but each of you to the interests of the others" (Philippians 2:4).

I experienced God’s presence in the midst of their pain and struggle, and in others God brought into our lives. These included cancer patients who smiled while enduring nausea, hair loss, and crippling fatigue with chemotherapy, and doctors and nurses who held patients’ hands while listening patiently to those who were weary, frustrated, scared, or depressed. 

So beloved readers, when unexpected crosses of life come your way, pray for strength to resist complaining, endure the pain, and grow in Christian maturity, trusting Him to bring good from the situation. To God be the glory!

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Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.