WHEN LIFE FORCES YOU

“Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene...” - Matthew 27:32

Most of my life as a follower of Jesus, I have heard of this guy and heard him portrayed as this compassionate guy who steps in to help Jesus. Well I don't know how I ever got that idea b/c each and every version of this says the same thing:

• "... the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.” (Matthew 27)
• “... the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.” (Mark 15)
  
• “The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.” (Luke 23)

So let's set aside the romanticized fiction and learn something from the actual facts:

• Life may force something on you that you weren't expecting
• Circumstances beyond your control might put you in the middle of  a much bigger story
  
• If you can't fight it successfully, maybe the best thing is to look for significance in your part!
  

I don't know what's coming your way today - maybe something you'd rather not do at all. But Simon had no choice and sometimes we don't either. What you can choose is your perspective on it. Simon is forever linked with Jesus in the midst of Jesus' great passion and suffering. Simon gets an unmatched part in Jesus saving the world. No - Simon's not saving anybody. But more than anyone in history, he can relate to Jesus and Jesus' Cross in an absolutely unique way.

Find the blessing in unexpected and unwanted burdens today. You might discover some unique perspective on Jesus in the process.

Spark. Mmmm - toasty!