The Gas Station Cross

It’s day 110 of reading the Bible in one year, and we are about 30% through. Today’s “verse of the day” is Matthew 16:24.

‘Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. ‘
Matthew 16:24

Today’s New Testament reading is 2 Corinthians 5. In verses 9-10, Paul writes that our goal should be to please Christ and that we will all have to answer for our actions.

‘⁹Therefore, we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. ¹²For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. ‘
II Corinthians 5:9-10

For most of my life, I aimed to please myself. But as I read these passages, I realize that pleasing Christ should be at the top of my daily TO-BE list. Giving up my own way, my own goals, living for Christ. Yesterday, I was waiting in line at the gas station when a guy cut in front of me. I thought, well, maybe he didn’t see that I was in line, but dismissed that thought, then thought, what a jerk, but I didn’t say anything. But I thought it, I thought you skanky, fat, redneck, inbred, line-jumping creep.

Now I could have struck up a conversation while we were waiting and shown some grace, kindness, and the love of Christ. Forgive me for my lack of grace and love, and for my missed opportunities, Jesus. I know you died for him, just as you did for me.

Our cross is dying to ourselves, surrendering our wants and desires to what Christ wants and desires for us.