LIKE SIMON OF CYRENE

LIKE SIMON OF CYRENE


Jesus had a CROSS
to carry-a physical cross
As well as the spiritual
And emotional sins of ALL MANKIND


WE have crosses to carry too
And we are to FOLLOW him-
To pick them up
And carry them-just like Jesus


“IF anyone wishes
To come after me


He must DENY himself
And take up his cross DAILY
And follow me” Luke 9:23


ANYONE who knows
The story of Jesus
KNOWS this carrying of the cross
Does NOT come easily


This CHRISTIANITY thing
Is NOT a walk
In the park
And it must be taken on
EACH and every day of our lives


We are all CHALLENGED DIFFERENTLY
Some-with a lifetime chronic illness
Like me
Some financially
And some in relationships
And some in EVERY AREA
Of our life


We all have CHALLENGES


For those of us
WHOSE burdens are fewer
Or whose difficulties and crosses
Are lighter


We NEED to understand
That we are NOT ABSOLVED-
We are CALLED upon to HELP others
Carry their crosses


Like SIMON of Cyrene
HELPED JESUS


“Therefore
I will BOAST all the more gladly
About my weaknesses


So that Christ's power
May REST on me


That is WHY-
For Christ's sake
I delight in weaknesses-
In insults-in insults
In persecutions-in difficulties


For when I am weak
Then I am STRONG” 2 Corinthians 12:10


For then=FEELING STRONG=I can
Step out and HELP OTHERS
CARRY their crosses


Like Simon did with Jesus


It is ANOTHER SIGN
From God-that we TURN
Our good fortune into a cross


A cross to SHARE the pain
And heartache of others


To PRAY-to heal-and to LOVE PERFECTLY
Like Jesus
With a touch of HELP for others


Dear Lord-WHEN I prove sufficient
In carrying my own cross
Like Jesus
Help me to HELP OTHERS
Carry theirs


“HELP US-God our Savior-
For the GLORY of your name


Deliver us and forgive our sins
For your name's sake” Psalm 79:9


“I lift up my eyes
To the mountains-


WHERE does my HELP
Come from?” Psalm 121:1


Dear Lord-let us ALWAYS
LOOK to God and Jesus
For help


And when our crosses
ARE a little lighter


Help us to be WILLING
To STEP FORWARD and take up
The CROSS for others


Just like Simon of Cyrene
HELPED our dear Lord-Jesus Christ
CARRY HIS


Robert P. Wallman
3-01-17




Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Paul Pennick