You're not the creator of your own cross. Though unbelief skillfully crafts crosses, you're not allowed to pick yours. Self-will may want to lead, but divine love has prepared your cross for you. Accept it willingly. Bear it as your chosen badge without complaint. Tonight, Jesus calls you to shoulder His easy yoke. Don't resist it with impatience, flaunt it with pride, collapse under its weight, or flee from it in fear. Carry it as His true follower. Jesus Himself bore a cross and walks the path of sorrow.

You couldn't want a better guide. Since He carried a cross, what burden could be more noble? The path of the cross is the road to safety. Don't fear its thorny path. Remember, the cross isn't light or comfortable, challenging ill-prepared shoulders. But, it's not iron, even if it feels that way. It's wood—manageable, as shown by the Man of Sorrows. Embrace your cross. By God's Spirit, you may come to cherish it, never trading the reproach of Christ for worldly fortune, like Moses. Recall how Jesus carried it, and it will become sweet. Soon, it'll be replaced by a crown, and thoughts of future glory will ease today's burdens. May the Lord help you surrender to His will tonight, so when you wake tomorrow, you're ready to face the day with the spirit befitting a follower of the Crucified.