Lenten devotionals from our DS's wife Robbie Craker

Day #23

Then Jesus said to all the people:

If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will save it. –Matthew 9:23-24 (CEV)

If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30 (CEV)

I’m a doer. I like to be busy. However, I like to busy doing the things I like to do and feel are important. It is my style to allow more and more things to be put into my wagon. It is my style to add more and more things on my wagon. If something is needed that I’m capable of, and I like to do, I’ll add it right on. Even though they’re good things, sometimes my motive isn’t right. Sometimes I do things because they make me look good in the eyes of others. Or I feel righteous for doing them (which is self-righteousness). Or I feel I’m important in the Kingdom by doing them. If I’m not careful my wagon load is beyond heavy and I’ve actually covered up the cross with all the stuff.

Have you ever been there? Perhaps this is just an issue for me. But I’ve been thinking about this picture of the cross in the wagon – Christ yoked with me – so our cross is one cross. And anything that I want to carry in that wagon must first meet the test of the cross. This is self-denial. My agenda met with the agenda of the cross. My motives against the motives of the cross. This is how I give my life for Him. Then the load is only what has been placed there by Jesus. Then the load has been purified by the cross.

So denying myself isn’t about giving up sweets for Lent, although it can be. Denying myself isn’t about giving up my favorite television show for Lent, although it can be. Denying myself isn’t about doing more for others. It’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to dig through the mess I’ve placed in the wagon and throwing out anything that needs to go. Duties, actions, motives, desires, plans, dreams – anything that buries the cross – must go.

There will still be a load to carry, but it will be the right load. The load that Jesus Himself pulls along with me will be light– and the cross, His cross – my cross, will be standing tall in the wagon. Everything will be subject to crucifixion – so that resurrection can happen. NEW LIFE.

“Father, search our hearts. We don’t want anything, no matter how good and right it is, to be carried if it doesn’t come from You. Amen”