Gentleness

And he said to them all, 

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself 

and take up his cross daily and follow me."

- Luke 9:23 -

--

It's so easy to think that I understood something:

1. I convince myself that I understood it 

2. I genuinely think I understood it 

LUKE 9:23

Heard it. Learned it. Taught it.

SO MANY TIMES.

Did I really understand it? Nah. 

I thought I did, but I guess there was more to it that I was missing.

It's not that I convinced myself (which makes me feel a bit better), but at the same time, I never took the time to really sit and reflect on what this verse - the verse that I've heard, learned and EVEN taught so many times - meant. 

So... Did I sit and reflect? (kind of)

Not on my own, but through God who brought the right teacher at the right time.

Question #1: What's the difference between "denying yourself" and "taking up your cross"?

Question #2: So then, what is your cross?

About a month ago I was asked this question: 
"What's the difference between denying yourself and taking up your cross?"
... (dot dot dot) ...
I felt like I got punched in the face.
Simply put, I couldn't answer the question. I couldn't differentiate the two!

After all these years of genuinely believing that I understood, one day I have come to realize that I was wrong.

The question was answered for me. It made sense, but it wasn't CLEAR.

Finally, after 9 long hours of sitting, discussing, and reflecting... it came.

It was as if all the dots in my head got connected.

There was a deep(er) meaning to this verse and it has now become clear(er) to me.
Perhaps there's more to it? I don't know. 
Perhaps there are other interpretations? Maybe.

But for now, I'm content.

"Denying yourself" and "taking up your cross" CAN be differentiated.

So then, what is MY cross?

After long hours, God gave me this word:
GENTLENESS. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
- Galatians 5:23 -