yoked

Proverbs 21:30 Human plans, no matter how wise or well advised, cannot stand against the Lord

Matthew 6:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 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. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?* Is anything worth more than your soul?

So often we see the "take up your cross" part & think this section is so negative, thinking that means a life of drudgery & pain.

What really is going on here is God saying if we let go of our lives, He's able to give us the life He dreamed for us an eternity ago.

I will admit that following Him does take sacrifice. We DO have to let go of our dreams & hopes & say yes to the "whatever" of His hopes & dreams for us.

It will be a life in which He will constantly pushing us to grow, change, & become more like Him.

We will be constantly challenged & reminded that the main thing is to love God & love others. That leaves very little room to be self-absorbed.

It will never be boring. Change will be a constant. Growth will be demanded. It will be exciting & miraculous, scary & sometimes intimidating. But we aren't the ones who are supposed to provide the strength, courage, power, or whatever, to make it happen - it's a life that's God's idea, so HE provides for it.

And we'll get a connection with the God of the universes in His fullness.

Would I choose the safety of the good life - being a Christ follower, but in control of my life?

Nope.