When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mar 8:34-37 NKJ)

It’s amazing how that other religions, such as Buddhism, seek to lose all attachments to the world and the consumer mentality.  Christians, however, seem to think that the mark of success is actually to gain more of the trappings of prosperity.  According to the words of Jesus, the only thing we should carry with us daily is the cross.  What does this mean?

1.      It tells us to hold life lightly.  This life is only temporary and is nothing compared to eternity.

2.      Be ready to lay your life down for the sake of the gospel.

3.      When you go to the airport, to fly, they weigh and check your baggage. To much and you will not take off.  Don’t become so attached to worldly wealth that it holds you back

Cars, planes, boats, and homes all look different and certain aspects of the design, make, location determine their value. The cross has no intrinsic value.  In fact, in Jesus’ day, the cross was seen as a means of death, shame, and terror, and yet to the spiritually discerning, it was a new and living way, a doorway to eternal life.  Pick it up; it’s yours.