Our Cross

I spent most of last week with my family in Saundersfoot and whilst there we went to nearby Oakwood theme park. I think following Jesus is a lot like going to Oakwood and this is why...

Theme parks divide opinions, there is those who love it and will go on anything and the scarier the better (me haha). There are those who have a limit,  they will go on a lot of the rides but some of them are just too much for them...or they go on ones they don't want too but don't enjoy them much and are glad when they get off. Then there are those who point blank refuse to go on anything remotely scary (used to be me! Which are you?).

I used to be really scared of theme park rides and would not go on anything too bad and wouldn't even enjoy those that were slightly bad. I got a bit ill but it was mostly in my head that I would happen to be on the ride that kills someone and it would be me. I had false preconceptions about how risky the rides were and what they were like. I was blind to how fun they were.

I don't know when I began enjoying rides but I know it began with me swallowing my fear and going for it and thus having my eyes opened to how good it was by how much I enjoyed it.

Christianity is like this. People have so many wrong ideas, that it is untrue, that it is boring, that it restricts you from having fun. I had some wrong ideas and only by swallowing my own ideas and going for it did I find that it was true and the most exciting, wonderful thing.

Luke 14:27
And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.


Jesus doesn't ask us to literally be crucified here, He is asking us to swallow our wrong ideas and trust Him, even when you think it won't be that good. The cross seemed like a huge defeat for the Disciples and followers of Jesus. Two days later, with Jesus having returned from the dead, it looked perfect.


I promise that if you choose to trust Jesus and swallow your doubts and fears, you will find a whole new reality and it will be so much better than you ever imagined.

Matthew 6:33

I was speaking to a dear friend last night and I read Matthew 6:26-34. Here in Matthew 6 Jesus makes a wonderful challenge to us to not worry in our lives. He cites how God provides for the birds of the air and the flowers on the ground and says this:-

^{Matthew 6:33}
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

I am such an idiot sometimes. No exaggerating, I genuinely am stupid. When trouble comes I try and solve it myself and often fail. God comes into my mind way too late or not at all. The times where I do put Him first He delivers and yet I still forget.

I just want to say to everybody:

If something bad has happened in your life and you are hurting and/or struggling - SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

If you are worried about something that is going to happen - SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

If you are having doubts about yourself or God or anything - SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM & RIGHTEOSNESS.

If you are happy and enjoying your life right now - SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

If you are seeking His Kingdom & His Righteousness but are like me and forget - SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM & RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Because as the prophet Jeremiah says ^'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.' (29:13)

and as Paul says 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31b)