Encountering The Cross (Week Three)

 

  Maggie had the opportunity to get away to her favorite coastal resort. She loved it here. It was peaceful and quiet, and the scenery was breathtaking. Her husband and children would join her tomorrow, so today was all hers. She followed the walking path along the beach coast. The sun was shining, and the squeal of the seagulls was just slightly louder than the lapsing waves on the shore. "What a beautiful day," Maggie thought to herself.

 As Maggie continued to walk, she began praying. She reflected on her life with her family. She thanked God for all her blessings. All her hard work and planning were paying off. And although her life was not perfect, it was good. Her life was filled with love. Her children were doing well in their studies, and her husband was recently promoted.

 The walking path began to veer away from the water, and she started a slow uphill climb over the bluffs. Halfway up her climb, she stopped when she noticed a large cross in the middle of the path. "That's odd," she thought. "Why is this here?" 

It was then that she heard Jesus speak. "Maggie, this cross is here for you."

 "For me? What do you mean?" Maggie asked.

 "Maggie, I have enjoyed all our moments of prayer together. You have come a long way, and I plan to take you to new heights."

 Maggie smiled, "You do?"

 Jesus returned the smile. "Yes, I have something special in mind for you. Here, take my hand, and I will show you." Jesus led Maggie away from the walking path, through a meadow, and then stopped abruptly. "I would like you to begin walking this new path. Some people really need your help. They will lean heavily on you, relying on your strength."

 Maggie looked at this new "path." Her first thought was, "Where did this mountain come from? I'm sorry, Jesus, but I don't understand. Where is the path?"

 "Well, it's not an obvious or an easy one. You would have to trust me completely. I will carefully guide your steps so you don't fall."

 "I could fall?" Maggie gasped in disbelief.

 "Only if you tried to forge your own way. If you train yourself to listen to My voice, your hardships will all be bearable."

 Maggie looked at the mountain. She had no idea how she would climb this. "Jesus, what about my family?"

 "Oh, I want you to bring them, too."

 "You want me to lead my family up a treacherous mountain to a place I can't see, all while enduring hardships and caring for people I have never met before? And I will not be in control?" Maggie was flabbergasted and scared.

 "Yes!" Jesus said.

 Maggie looked at the mountain. She thought about how pleasant everything was in her life right now. "Jesus, my life is so blessed now; why would I want to change everything?" 

 "Because I believe you could become something more."

 Maggie grew very nervous and anxious. She knew this new path would change everything. She loved her life. Everything was going so well. "Jesus." she began, "Do I have a choice?"

 "Of course," Jesus answered. "How close you follow My Plans is always up to you."

 Maggie looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry, Jesus, I can't do this. I'm good with all the blessings I have right now. I'm not looking to be challenged. I want to enjoy what I have." Maggie turned away from the mountain, ran through the meadow, and found her walking path along the bluffs. She continued her walk along the bluffs. She felt sure she had made the right choice, but she was completely unaware that her spiritual life would plateau at this height.

 Jesus watched Maggie walk away. He then turned his eyes toward the mountain. Jesus saw what Maggie could not. Had Maggie chosen this path, it would have been not easy, but in the end, it led to Rome, where she would have been a canonized saint.

-Susan