“Well, here I am, Lord. You said, ‘Take up your cross,’ (Luke 9:23) and I’m here to do
it. It’s not easy, you know, this self-denial thing. I mean to go through with it though, Sir. I’ll bet
you wish more people were willing to be a disciple like me. I’ve counted the cost and
surrendered my life ... and … it’s not an easy road …”
“You mind if I look over these crosses? I’d kind of like a new one. I’m not fussy, you
understand, but a disciple has to be relevant these days. I was wondering… are there any that are
vinyl padded? I’m thinking of attracting others, you see, and if I could show them a comfortable
cross, I’m sure I could win a lot more. Got to keep up with the population explosion and all. And
I need something durable, so I can treasure it always. Oh, is there one that’s sort of flat so it
would fit under my coat? One shouldn’t be to conspicuous.”
“Funny, there doesn’t seem to be much choice here. Just that coarse, rough wood. I mean,
that would hurt! Don’t you have something more distinctive, Lord? I can tell you right now, none
of my friends are going to be impressed by this shoddy workmanship. They will think I’m a nut
or something! And my family will be mortified!”
“What’s that? It’s either one of these or forget the whole thing? But, Lord, I want to be
your disciple! I mean, just being with you, that’s all that counts, but life has to have a balance,
too...but you don’t understand...nobody lives that way today! Who’s going to be attracted by this
self -denial bit? I mean, I want to, but let’s not overdo it! Start getting radical like this and they
will have me off to the funny farm—know what I mean?”
“I mean, being a disciple is challenging and exciting and I want to do it, but I do have
some rights, you know. Now, lets see … no blood, okay? I just can’t stand the thought of that,
Lord … Lord?”
“Now, where do you suppose He went?” ~ C. L. Sayler
Chambersburg church of Christ, Chambersburg,

PA