Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Today's Devotional
The Cross

"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." - Luke 14:27 NASB

Born in turbulent times on this day in 1644, William Penn grew to disappoint his father, Sir William Penn, an admiral in the British navy. Why? Because young William made a radical commitment to follow Jesus. His convictions were so strong that he became a "nonconformist." He studied at Oxford University, but instead of joining the country's elite, he was expelled...because of his faith.

Hoping to change his son's ways, Admiral Penn sent William to Ireland to manage the family estates. Instead, William became even more committed to Christ. He joined the Quakers, a group reviled by respectable society and considered too radical. William would pay a heavy price for his beliefs. During one of four imprisonments, he wrote a book, No Cross, No Crown.

William reminded readers that Jesus said we cannot be His disciples unless we take up our Cross and follow Him. The only thing that mattered to Penn was serving God and following Jesus...to the Cross. He wrote, "No pain, no palm; no thorns; no throne; no gall, no glory; no Cross, no crown." According to William, the end of each life was "to glorify God." Others might hope in traditions, rituals, and other activities, but he wrote that "the only door to true Christianity" was through "the Cross of Christ."

William Penn may be remembered best as the founder of the state of Pennsylvania. Others have looked at his life and seen both successes and failures. But William would tell us that his service to the Kingdom of God and his commitment to the Cross were his most important legacy.

Today, the world needs people with this same kind of passion-people ready to carry their Cross daily and follow Jesus, wherever He leads. Make that your prayer and commitment.