Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24 NKJV
Few people truly understand what it means to take up your cross; to put your beliefs before your own life.
To be willing to suffer great harm for what you truly believe in.
To hold your convictions so strongly as to spill your own blood and to lay down your life instead of compromising.
Even fewer have the courage, the strength despite their fear, to do it.
Remember, Jesus fed 5000 people miraculously, but only 500 followed him after they ate.
He had 12 disciples, but only 3 stayed with him to pray in the garden before his arrest.
Only 1 stood with him at the cross.
The closer you get to that old rugged cross, the smaller the crowd becomes.
You may find that at the foot of it, and in the paths of righteousness and in the act of selfless service and standing for truth, that you may be the only one left.
But take heart.
"Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Jesus of Nazareth, Matthew 7:14 NKJV
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jozef Lalka is a former Infantryman with the Canadian Armed Forces and founder of War Doll.
Since releasing from the military, Jozef has devoted his life to the scriptural motivation of the warrior culture, and the mentorship of the next generation. Jozef works as a graphic designer, photographer and videographer while pursing a passion for current global conflicts and how they relate to historical events.