Wednesday, 10 June 2026

How Do I Take Up My Cross? Fresh Manna by Pastor Tim Burt

Fresh Manna with Pastor Tim Burt 
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How Do I Take Up My Cross?

June 10. 2026
by Timothy Burt

One of the most sobering and life-defining statements Jesus ever made was about taking up our cross and following Him. It’s a phrase many believers are familiar with, yet one that is often misunderstood or softened over time. When Jesus spoke those words, the cross was not a symbol of inconvenience or even general hardship—it was a symbol of death. It represented surrender, the laying down of one’s will, and the yielding of one’s life to another.

In our modern thinking, we can sometimes reduce this to enduring life’s difficulties or carrying personal burdens. But Jesus was calling His followers to something far deeper and more intentional. He was speaking of a life fully surrendered to God—one that is no longer lived for self, but for His purpose.

There is a tension every Christian eventually feels. On one hand, we have freedom in Christ. God gives us room to live, to enjoy life, to make choices, and to walk out our days with personality and uniqueness. But on the other hand, there is a clear call to live with intention—wholeheartedly, without compromise, and aligned with His will. At some point, every believer must come to terms with this truth: this life is ours to live, and yet it ultimately does not belong to us.

The apostle Paul expressed it like this “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

That is the picture of what it truly means to take up your cross. It is not about losing your personality, your joy, or your ability to enjoy life—it is about surrendering ownership. It is recognizing that your life now belongs to Christ, and choosing to live in alignment with His will, His purpose, and His ways.

There is a difference between a Christian who believes in God and a Christian who is fully surrendered to Him. One may live trying to build the best and most enjoyable life possible, occasionally asking God to bless it. The other wakes up each day with a different mindset: “Lord, what is Your will today? How can my life serve Your purpose?” That difference may not always be visible outwardly at first, but over time it becomes very clear. One life revolves around self-direction, while the other is marked by intentional surrender.

Taking up your cross is not a one-time decision—it is a daily choice. It’s choosing kindness when your flesh wants to react. It’s choosing integrity when compromise would be easier. It’s choosing obedience when no one is watching. It’s choosing to share your faith, encourage someone, or step into a moment God places in front of you—even when it’s inconvenient. It’s living with the awareness that your life carries eternal purpose.

Jesus made this even clearer when He said:

Luke 9:23 NLT — “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”

Notice that word—daily. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention. It’s about a heart that continually comes back into alignment with God, even when we fall short.

And here’s the beautiful truth: when we surrender our lives to Him, we don’t lose them—we actually find them. We discover a deeper peace, a clearer purpose, and a life that carries eternal significance. The life lived fully for Christ is not smaller—it is far greater than anything we could build on our own.

Matthew 16:25 NLT — “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for loving us enough to call us into a life of purpose and surrender. Help us to understand what it truly means to take up our cross daily and follow You. Teach us to lay down our own ways and choose Yours, even when it’s difficult. Give us hearts that are intentional, surrendered, and fully devoted to You. Strengthen us to live for Your will, Your glory, and Your purpose in all we do. We trust You with our lives and thank You for leading us into something far greater than we could ever create on our own. In Jesus’ name, Amen!


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In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

Tuesday, 9 June 2026

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