Take Up My Cross

Last week we had our second Men's Conference and it was just as moving as the first. The theme verse for the night was Luke 9:23-25. This verse talks about deny ourselves and taking up our crosses for the Lord. The night culminated in an activity where we literally got to carry a cross. We prayed in small groups around a field and talked about what it is we would like to sacrifice for the Lord. The Lord really put my relationships on my heart. Ever since I became a Christian in October I have really been running away from my past lifestyle and everything that went along with it. For the most part this is a good thing. I've been pursuing the Lord and He has been changing me and sanctifying me, but I also have been running away from the relationships I had before October. I associated those relationships with my non-Christian lifestyle and stopped pursuing them. Once I met a group of amazing believers I became so comfortable in my little Christian bubble that I rarely was searching for relationships outside it. The Lord has really been convicting me of this and so I decided that this year I want to reach outside my Christian circle. I want to be able to show Christ's love to those around me in my dorm, in my classes and to those who I have been running from. I want to share my life and what the Lord has done in my life with everyone around me. It is going to be hard to relate deeply with them, but I know the Lord will place me where it is He wants me.