Take Up Your Cross

Well here I am Lord! You said "take up your cross", and I am here to do it. It's not easy, you know, this self-denial thing. I mean to go through with it though Lord, yes Sir!! I'll bet you wish more people were willing disciles like me. I've counted the cost and surrendered my life and it's not an easy road. Do you mind if I look over these crosses? I'd kind of like a new one. I'm not fussy, you understand; but a disciple has to be relevant these days. I was wondering... are there any that are vinyl padded? I'm thinking of attracting others, see? And if I could show them a more comfortable cross, I'm sure I could win a lot more. Got to keep up with the population explosion and all. And I need something durable so I can treasure it always. Oh, is there one that is sort of flat so it would fit under my coat? One shouldn't be too obvious. Funny, there doesn't seem to be much of a choice here. Just that coarse, rough wood. I mean, that would hurt. Don't you have something more distinctive, Lord? I can tell you right now, none of my friends are going to be impressed by this shoddy workmanship thing. They'll think I'm a nut or something. And my family would be mortified. What's that? It's either one of these or forget the whole thing? But Lord, I want to be your disciple, I mean, just being with you; that's all that counts; but life has to have a balance, too. But you don't understand...nobody lives that way today! Who is going to be attracted to this self-denial bit? I mean, I want to; but lets not over do it. Start getting radical like this and they'll have me hauled off to the funny farm. Know what I mean? I mean, being a disciple is challenging and exciting and I want to do it; but I do have some rights, you know. Now lets see...no blood...OK? I just can't stand the thought of that Lord...LORD? JESUS? Now, where do you suppose He went?

Matthew 10:37-38
Luke 9:23-24