What is this call that sounds my name? What is this affliction that awaits my soul? Ay, it is the cross of my Lord. It is the cross that He has chosen for me.

Shall I run? Shall I hide from its hideousness? Shall I beg of Him another way?

Terror grips my soul! The sight of it repulses me. My flesh recoils at the suffering I know I am to endure. I cry to Him, “Have mercy, Lord! Deliver me!”…But the cross remains. He insists that I bear it.

My cheeks are stained with tears; my heart, in deep agony; my flesh trembles at the beam that awaits my back.

Mocking and insults are thrown upon me as I consider the cost. Doubt ravages my soul. Insanity threatens and whispers comforting sounds in my ear. Images of compromise pressure me to turn back. The noise rises to a deafening pitch! I cry out to God, “Deliver me!”…. But the cross remains. He insists that I bear it.

In my distress, I fall to the ground. I wait for my Lord to speak; yet He is silent. He has already given the command. He will say nothing more.

I feel as though my life has been emptied. I know what I must do. It is the only way. I silently cry, “Lord give me courage to embrace Thy cross.”

Suddenly, strength comes into my being. Joy floods my heart. The cross that once was repulsive now becomes a thing of beauty. I cannot resist its call. I run to it eagerly and with delight, I embrace its beams.

O blessed cross! How I welcome thy weight upon my back! Thy splinters bear hard into my skin. Thy bruises are multiplied upon me. O how sweet the burden! O how I welcome the pain!

O blessed cross! I rejoice to bear thy shame! May the burden that thou hast blessed me with destroy all pride and self-righteousness!

O blessed cross, I welcome thee! Take these hands that have been so idle. Drive the nails and do not let me escape! Take these feet that have been so swift to run to the comforts of the world. Drive the nails and fasten me to thy devotion.

O blessed cross! Raise me upon thy hill and destroy any name that I have made for myself! May the bones of sin be broken and never repaired. Let thy graces abound as my rebellion draws its last breath.

My death is Thy glory!

Copyright 2010  Holly D. Dye all rights reserved.  Material may be copied and shared with others as long as it is done so without charge, in entirety, and if attribution is given.