Learning to carry our cross.
by Ruhama Assefa
Sometimes we sit silently, unsure of how to handle life. Bills, grades, marriage, pressure. We all have our share of troubles. As Christians, we turn to our heavenly Father in prayer, but there are moments when words simply don’t suffice. Instead, tears flow. Yet even then, we rest in the truth that God understands our cries more deeply than we do ourselves.
I remember receiving a life-altering phone call when I was in tenth grade. A friend who was like a sister to me had attempted suicide. I was waiting for the words “It was hard, but we saved her.” Instead, I heard the unthinkable: She had passed away. Her family never discovered the reason behind her decision, and the unanswered questions still echo in their hearts.
But amid this sorrow, God met me. He taught me to see life differently and gave me opportunities to speak into the lives of teenagers, helping many avoid similar fates. Through this, I learned that living for Christ isn’t about constant happiness or chasing worldly joy. It’s about carrying the cross, choosing His will over ours, and being faithful.
Tough journey
Whenever I reflect on this calling, my mind goes to the Israelites on their journey to Canaan. The road wasn’t smooth. They faced hunger, enemies, doubts, and their own complaints. God didn’t remove every obstacle, but He provided solutions. He walked with them. His presence was consistent, even when their faith faltered.
I used to judge the Israelites. How could they doubt God after all He’d done? But when I looked in the mirror, I saw the same behavior in myself. I, too, have tried to figure things out on my own. I, too, have given up too quickly. Many people today do the same. Some even take their own lives. But God never promised an easy road.
This world is not our home. Abraham lived in tents, waiting for the promise God gave him. Likewise, we are pilgrims, not settlers. Our true home is the kingdom of heaven. We are called to not gratify our flesh but to nourish our souls through kingdom faithfulness. This requires denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Jesus — daily.
Instant obedience
After His forty-day fast, Jesus called His disciples with a simple yet profound invitation: “Follow Me.” Some asked for time to settle affairs, but He challenged them to leave everything immediately. When God calls, our plates may already be full, but His priority must be ours.
Think of Abraham. After years of waiting, his son, Isaac, was finally born. Then God asked him to lay that same promise on the altar. Abraham didn’t delay; he surrendered. That is the kind of obedience God seeks.
Perseverance and surrender
Sometimes we think our problems are unbearable. But remember those in Scripture who suffered. Jacob wrestled with God through the night. Paul faced prison, persecution, and hunger. And Jesus bore the cross, our sins, our shame, and the weight of the world. So when we feel weak, we are in good company.
Our journey is not about ease but about faithfulness. We don’t live like tourists enjoying a vacation. We live like missionaries sent with purpose. We walk, not by sight but by faith. We persevere, not by strength but by grace.
Luke 22:42 shows Jesus’ heart: “Not My will, but Yours, be done.” This is kingdom faithfulness: surrendering fully to God’s will. Mark 8:34 reminds us to deny ourselves and take up our cross. And in Matthew 25:21, 23, we hear the words we all long to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Kingdom faithfulness is not about feeling good. It’s about finishing well. So the next time life feels overwhelming, remember the cross. Remember the journey. Remember the home we’re walking toward. And when the weight feels unbearable, remember to rest in the truth that this world isn’t our home. We’re just passing through.
