What Does It Mean to 'Take Up Your Cross'?

My best friend grew up Southern Baptist, and I remember having this conversation with her in grade school:

"So, all I have to do is ask Jesus to be my savior, and I'll go to Heaven?"

"Yes!"

"But that's it? It seems too easy. Why doesn't everyone do it?"

"I don't know, but that's it."

"But what if I sin after that?"

"You won't want to."

"Yeah, but what if I do? That's a long time to never make a mistake. And what about if I keep sinning?"

"Well, if you sin too much, God will just remove you from the Earth so you can't sin anymore."

"And I would still go to Heaven?"

"If you asked him to be your savior, yes."

"Wait... If I sin so much that God has to remove me from the Earth, but I already asked him to be my savior before I sinned like that, then I would go to Heaven early?"

"Well, yeah."

"How is THAT punishment? I want to go to Heaven early!"

I never understood the concept of "faith alone" that is taught in most protestant faiths. It just never made sense to me. Every time I encountered the concept with someone, I would have a conversation similar to the one above. Early on, I realized that as Catholics we have the answer. Jesus gave us the answer in the Bible. Our actions count as much as our faith in our journey to Heaven. We can't ask him to save us, and then turn around and ignore what it means to be saved. Our lives have to change. We have to die to our old way of life, and take up his cross along with him. We have to join with Jesus on the cross.

This all sounds great in the abstract. But what does it really mean?!

Before I started this blog, I kept seeing the word SURRENDER everywhere. I knew immediately God wanted me to surrender myself to him. But, what did that mean? How was I to surrender? I was already searching for my calling, and what he wanted me to do with my life. I had already started going back to church. What more could I do? What more did he want? The more I questioned, the more I saw that word.

Looking back, it was both more simple than I was making it, but also more difficult. We are all called to Him, and we are all given a calling in this life by Him. Jesus knew God was calling him to literally surrender his life for us. He was called to die in this life to gain Heaven for us all. Jesus did the literal for us, and by his example, we can do that same thing metaphorically for him.

It means... Instead of questioning everything, trying to keep some measure of control, we are to FULLY give that control over to God. Let him guide us, especially when we are in the thick of life and can't see the correct way ahead. Surrender that fear, that need to know how it will all turn out. Pray to Jesus, and give him your faith, and continue walking the path, blindly if necessary, knowing God will not let you falter.

It means... Instead of wallowing in your own problems, get out there and help others with their burdens. Doing good works for God is never in vain. One of these works may very well be what you are called to be doing for God and His people. Who knows, you might just save a life. Or even better, a soul.

It means... Instead of getting caught up in the world and its uninformed wisdom and pleasures, turning to prayer and the bible. Ask God for his wisdom and he will not withhold it. It means making an effort to listen in quiet to his voice and looking for God in all things.

It means... Instead of waiting for things to be perfect, just TRY. Make an attempt, and God will make it perfect for you. Put yourself out there. Take that risk he's asking of you, in His name. You won't be perfect. He knows this, and he would never ask you to be something you aren't. But He is perfect, and he can make your efforts perfect for those who need it.

It means... Go to Confession! Give Jesus your sins, as he's already taken them from you. You only have to acknowledge it, and ask for forgiveness. Let Him wipe your soul clean so you can confidently go about His good works. Erase those burdens so you can help Jesus carry his cross.