August 31, “Take UP Your Cross August 31, “Take Up Your Cross” Matt. 16:21-27
This 20th year has been difficult in that it reminds me of my own mortality. People are always asking, “Who are you grooming to take your place?’ and the reality is you can not groom some one to take one’s place, because this ministry is about the way I do ministry, as the ministry of Jesus was about the way he did ministry. . The non-profit may continue one day, but the ministry as it is will not. And frankly I am not interested in a “legacy”. I do ministry in the present moment.
For me taking up the cross of Jesus means to love, and love for me means being counted upon on, in good times or bad. It is not about feelings, for feelings are fleeting. I took a young guy to the hospital today in pain, a young guy who frankly dislikes me–if for no other reason then he can, , and he said he called me because he knew “I could count on you.” There are people I serve I really dislike, but I still love them and serve them. Love is caring in good times and bad. For me success is being there in nearly twenty years in sickness and in health, in the good and the bad times, whether I feel like it or not. Success for me is loving==being counted upon.
That is what ministry is to me, loving and being there. DeoGratias! Thanks be to God!