Luke 9:23-24
Then Jesus said to all the people:
If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross every day and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will save it.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, I watched NBC’s Sunday Today with Willie Geist. The pervading theme throughout today’s program seemed to be courage, persistence, faith, and living with hope and intention…and thinking as much (or more) about others as we do ourselves.
Dr. Rex Marco, a prominent spine surgeon at UTHealth Houston, was riding his bike in 2019, when his front tire got stuck, and he was thrown to the ground – head and helmet first. The result was a spinal cord injury that instantly rendered him a quadriplegic. The father of three grown sons was expecting his fourth baby – a child he would never be able to physically hold. His career as a well-respected spine surgeon and oncologist appeared to be gone. But Dr. Marco was determined to overcome adversity – and work again as a surgeon.
Today, Dr. Rex Marco is a full-time lecturer and consultant who offers firsthand knowledge to medical students and teaches them how to better care for spinal cord patients. He emphasizes the importance of hope. Marco has also served as an inspiration to other patients with spinal cord injuries. He says he feels more connected to his fellow human beings, and there is a bigger, deeper message in his life and work.
The ”Life Well Lived” segment of Sunday Today featured Dr. Wanda Półtawska, a Polish Holocaust survivor who smuggled secrets to the allies in WWII, until she was caught and imprisoned. As one of only a few who survived the concentration camp, Półtawska returned to Poland, married, and became a psychiatrist who specialized in the treatment of traumatized Holocaust survivors. She also met a Catholic priest who would become a lifelong friend – ultimately named Pope John Paul II. Półtawska was one of the last people to visit with the Pope before his death in 2005. The story of her suffering, perseverance and faith is truly an example of “taking up your cross and following Jesus” every day.
And then there was the story of actor John Stamos, who I include in this group because he has just written a memoir that details how his life journey has included a battle to become sober and live life to its fullest. Stamos recalled a visit last year with his best friend and fellow actor/comedian, the late Bob Saget. The two were sharing a meal, and Stamos was in a bit of a rush. Saget persuaded him to linger…to “order cake” and enjoy dessert and coffee. This would be the last encounter Stamos had with Bob Saget…and it left him with the ever-present reminder to “order the cake” and fully embrace every minute of our lives.
I share these three stories to illustrate that each of us has “something.” It may not be as devastating as quadriplegia, as horrific as the Holocaust, or as all-encompassing as the struggle for sobriety…but we all have our “crosses” to bear. And we can all call on Jesus to help us carry our burden. How we react and respond to the challenges of this life will fully define our lives…and whether we are ultimately saved or destroyed – in every sense of these words.
I am grateful that my own “burdens” have not approached the severity of these I have described, but I fully trust in Jesus to help me with whatever challenges I am given. This is my prayer for you, as well. Take to heart the words of Jesus – and the stories I have shared. Focus on sharing the love of Christ with all others – and think more about how to do this than how to serve your own self-interests. Remember to “order the cake” and to savor every minute God grants you, because none of us is promised another day.
As someone once said, “This life is not a dress rehearsal.” We must make the most of every minute! Ask God to show you how and where He wants you to serve…and trust that He will walk alongside you every step of the way. Alleluia!
©2023 Debbie Robus
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