Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)

I can remember a professor New Testament in seminary saying these beautiful words: “When Jesus calls us to take up our cross, we don’t need to go looking for one. One has already been provided.”

Following Jesus is the ultimate risk and the ultimate joy. It is a calling that brings sacrifice… and reward. The hardest way is the most joyous way.