Garys Cross

Stuff

     One Friday as Gary was driving home from work he was thinking about what a great weekend he was going to have. His church was starting revival tonight and he was really excited because he had invited everyone he knew. All of his family, friends and co-workers and had prayed heavily that some of them would give their heart to the LORD.

     As he was traveling through an intersection, he was hit right in the driver’s side door by someone who had just ran a red light. Instantly he was standing at one of the twelve pearly gates of Heaven. Confused about what had just happened but completely at ease, he approached the entrance.

     An angel greeted him and said, " We're terribly sorry that you’ll be missing your revival. We have some good and bad news for you. " Gary said to the angel " What happened, one second I’m in my car driving home and the next I’m here with you? " The angel replied " Yes, it happens like that sometimes. You were hit by someone who was too busy talking on his cell phone and ran a red light. " Gary immediately asked, " Is he alright? " The angel smiled and said, " Yes, two days after he gets out of the hospital he will accept our LORDS gift. " Without even thinking Gary shouted out " PRAISE GOD!!! " Again the angel smiled and said " Yea, that’s what we do here. "

     Gary then asked the angel " Well what’s next, can we go in now? " At the same time he noticed a cross lying across his right shoulder. He then asked " Wow, where did this come from? I didn’t even notice it. " The angel replied " We get that a lot. But of course you remember when our LORD said, " as he proceeds to quote Luke 9:23And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. " Gary responded " Yes I remember. " Again the angel smiles and even chuckles a little, then says " Well this is your cross. " Gary then said " And I always thought that that was just a metaphor. " Then Gary noticed the thousands upon thousands of crosses lying all around. He then said " Well I guess I won’t need this anymore. " and he laid it down.

     The angel spoke and said " I’m sorry but it’s not your time yet. Remember I said I had good and bad news? Well that’s the bad news and it’s not really bad after all is it? " Gary, visibly stunned said " But I’m here, can’t I stay? " At the same time he envisioned his family and said " Oh wait I, my family, I !!! " The angel smiles and replied " We know; besides, our LORD has more work for you to do. "

     Then Gary asked the angel " About this cross. " " Yes? " Replied the angel. " Well I was wondering if I could trade it in for another? " The angel then said " Please, go ahead, pick anyone you see. " So he put his in the pile with the others and proceeded to pick others up, testing the weight and seeing how it felt on his shoulder. After what seemed like several minutes he finally found one he was comfortable with. He walked back to the angel and said " I’ll take this one, if it’s alright? " The angel chuckled  and said "  That’s the same one you came here with. It happens all the time. " Shocked and not thinking for a second he blurted out " Really? Your kidding !!! " Smiling, the angel replies " Would I lie to you? "

     The angel then tells Gary " Well it’s time for you to head back. " Gary asked " I want to go back but can’t I stay just little longer? It’s so beautiful here. " " Don’t you worry, it’ll be just a little while and you’ll be back. " Gary says " Really, how long? I " The angel chuckles. " Oh I get it. " says Gary.

" Ok, time to go. " Gary suddenly feels himself being drawn away but could still ask " Wait, you said there was good and bad news. You told me the bad, what's the good? " The angel replied " You’ll find out soon enough. "

     Suddenly Gary found himself lying in a hospital bed with his wife and children standing around him praying. Weakly he asked his wife " How long? " His wife replies " Oh honey, praise God, you're back, praise God, you’ve been in a coma for two weeks and we didn’t know if you would come back!!!! They had to revive you at the scene of the accident. " Gary in pain replied. " Wow two weeks. They had to bring me back? " " Yes sweetheart, you died. " Then it all came back to him, the conversation with the angel, the cross, everything.

     He then asked " What did I miss? How was the Revival? " Through her tears Gary’s wife replied. " It was beautiful sweetheart. Your brother Tom, your cousin Steve, my Mom and Kelly from the office and several others all gave their hearts to the LORD!!! It was so wonderful!!! You were on everyone’s mind. It was like you were there sweetheart. " Gary smiled and realized he just got his good news. His prayers had been answered.

The moral of the story: Even though we take up our cross as Luke 9:23 tells us to do, God will never give us more than we can handle. And if at times it does become too much then He will carry it for us until we can pick it back up again.

May our LORD lighten your load on this day my friend.
- Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
- Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
- Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.