Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” ~Matthew 16:24
I was greatly encouraged by our Commitment Sunday this past week and the number of people willing to sacrifice many hours in 2025 for the work of ministry. God will bless Grace Resurrection deeply because of this.
I was reminded of a story I once heard about a 17-year-old girl who had been left to raise her family and take care of the home early in life after her single mother passed away following a long battle with cancer. Not only did she clean the house, prepare meals, and care for her two younger siblings, but she was also known by her neighbors as a kind, caring young woman who was always helpful and checked in on them regularly.
Even though she was in great need herself, she never complained and constantly looked for extra ways to serve those in her community. Most unfortunately, she was later diagnosed with an advanced form of cancer. While hospitalized, she received a visit from a lady from the local church, who asked her if she had ever been confirmed or baptized. To each very direct and curt question, the girl quietly replied, “No.” The lady smugly inquired, “What are you going to say to God when you have to tell Him that?”
The saintly young girl weakly raised her hands and said, “I will show Him my hands.” Her hands were work-stained and honorable.
This young girl had taken up her cross, and every cross of ours is a part of the cross of Christ. At the center of Christianity is humble service, shoulder to shoulder with Jesus.
Paul wrote, “That I might know him in the fellowship of his sufferings.” To Paul, this meant striving for and against the same things as Christ. It meant expending energy, praying as if all depended on God, but working as if all depended on Paul. To this end, he writes that he would fill up what was lacking in the afflictions of Christ.
When Abraham Lincoln was asked by friends whether he thought God was on his side, he replied, “I don’t much trouble about that, but I am concerned that I am on God’s side.”
A life only concerned with self is starved. But a life of service is a life truly lived—a life following the way of the cross.
-Rev. James Williams