May I be willing Lord to bear
Daily my cross for Thee
Even Thy cup of grief to share
Thou hast borne all for me
Lead Me to Calvary 1921
By: Jennie Evelyn Hussey (1834 – 1925)
Listen to this simple version of this hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.
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Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we continue our journey through this hymn of commitment and our approach to Easter make time to ponder this text and all it communicates. Let’s tune our hearts.
Bear It
Can you see yourself in the image above? Is this a practice you have become familiar with? Or is this idea new to you?
Jesus makes it very clear that if you want to be His disciple you must discern how to follow Him, and a part of following is bear your cross. But does Jesus actually mean that we have to carry some symbol around with us?
No.
What He is teaching is that we must be willing to deny ourselves. This is both a one-time and continual decision we must make. “I will follow Jesus”, is the one-time. The continual is all those other decisions we make to demonstrate the finality of the first.
May I be willing Lord to bear
Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 ESV
Bearing your cross is a prerequisite for being a disciple, plain and simple. If you want to be one who follows Jesus bearing your cross is not optional. We must be willing to bear it, even though we do not get to choose it. God fashions our cross and we must be willing to bear it.
We may bear our cross, but do we do so willingly or begrudgingly? When we allow Jesus to lead us to Calvary, we follow His footsteps and watch the surrendering of His will over and over again. That perspective prompts an unparalleled willingness to bear our cross. Ask for it.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about the shape of your cross. What does self-denial look like for you? How will you follow Jesus example. Make this your simple prayer “Jesus, inform my willingness with Your surrender.”
Daily
This daily bearing becomes the way we learn to live conforming our lives to Jesus, becoming more like Him. It is a simple practice, but that does not mean it is easy. One thought, one word, one deed at a time become the vehicle of our transformation.
Is this a new concept? If not, would you like a refresher? This short video offers an excellent explanation.
Daily my cross for Thee
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 ESV
Just in case you thought you would only have to bear it once, Jesus makes clear it is a daily practice. It gives you the vehicle to deny yourself and choose to follow Jesus instead. Are you willing to take up your cross daily? You must choose, because some days you will not want to.
Daily bearing the cross is a duty required of every Christian. The daily surrender becomes a discipline which shapes our way of thinking and living. Ultimately that discipline can even become a delight, walking in humble obedience before the Lord bringing unshakable peace.
RESONATE
Take a few moments and consider what daily bearing your cross looks like. It will transform your life. Pray a simple prayer like this one, “Jesus, help me bear my cross daily.“
Jesus, thank You for teaching us to bear our cross, and then modeling how to do that. You only had to do it once, but You bore it all the way to death. Thank You Lord. In Jesus’ name.
Daily Tuning!
Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.
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Video 39.4 Transcript
Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.
May I be willing Lord to bear
Daily my cross for Thee
Even Thy cup of grief to share
Thou hast borne all for me
We may bear our cross, but do we do so willingly or begrudgingly? When we allow Jesus to lead us to Calvary, we follow His footsteps and watch the surrendering of His will over and over again. That perspective prompts an unparalleled willingness to bear our cross. Ask for it.
Jesus, inform my willingness with Your surrender.
Daily bearing the cross is a duty required of every Christian. The daily surrender becomes a discipline which shapes our way of thinking and living. Ultimately that discipline can even become a delight, walking in humble obedience before the Lord bringing unshakable peace.
Jesus, help me bear my cross daily.
Not only will we deny ourselves and take up our cross but willingly share in the grief of His sufferings. Hebrews 5:8 teaches that Jesus learned obedience through suffering. If it was good enough for Jesus, it is good enough for us. Drink the cup of suffering and learn obedience.
Jesus, teach me obedience through my suffering.
Our self-denial is a simple and appropriate response to all that Jesus bore for us. He bore the weight of our sin and shame. He asks us to take up our cross, that emblem of self-denial, so we can find the freedom of surrender. Let Jesus lead you to Calvary again today.
Jesus, lead me to Calvary.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.
Lest I forget Gethsemane
Lest I forget Thine agony
Lest I forget Thy love for me
Lead me to Calvary
Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Are You Willing to Bear Your Cross Daily? appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
May I be willing Lord to bear – https://activechristianity.org/what-does-it-mean-to-take-up-your-cross-daily
Daily my cross for Thee – https://activechristianity.org/what-does-it-mean-to-take-up-your-cross-daily
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