Holding the Cross
God is usually at work in the work, and more often than not, the work is people.
Season 6, Episode 17 · Holding the Cross
Play the original Excel Still More episode here without leaving the article.
The story behind the idea
Before you know it, it becomes quite obvious that God is at work. God is usually at work in the work, and more often than not, the work is people. In that vein, I put my writer's block or whatever the podcast equivalent is to the side, and I went to visit for a little while with the guys at the Triumph Village. I'm sure I've told you a lot about that place, so I'll keep it brief.
What stands out
I have to say, my attitude about it was better than it has been in years past. There have been plenty of times when I've seen people doing something like that and I've been cynical or maybe even judgmental or in some way tried to demean it. I can remember going all the way back to teen or preteen years when my family and I on Sunday would head to Humble, Texas for church, about a 30-minute drive down Highway 59, north of Houston. Quite regularly there was a guy walking down the road with the cross over his shoulder, working his way down the highway.
Why it matters
That general negativity towards people demonstrating outwardly their faith, is that about them, or is that more about you? Look, I'm sorry, that may have been a little bit too direct. This isn't a psychiatrist visit, but as I got older, I learned words like deflection, where you don't want to take on weaknesses that are in yourself or have to answer for them.
A faithful way forward
When Jesus said his people will deny themselves and take up the cross and follow him, what does that look like?
Put it into practice
What does that look like when I'm in my car or when I'm at work? Or when Jesus' presence and name and will is just generally unpopular to the people around me? I just needed that reminder today that I need to be holding the cross. That is, I need to deny me, take up his cause and his will and follow him.
Take the idea with you.
- 01What idea from this study most needs my attention right now?
- 02Where does this challenge the way I am currently thinking or living?
- 03What is one faithful step I can take this week?
Prefer listening?
The original episode player is available near the top of this article, so you can listen without leaving the page.