I Take Off the Mask

Why Is My Cross Heavier? Have you ever felt those times when the cross you’re carrying seems heavier than it should be? Much heavier than you can bear? Much heavier than the crosses other people are carrying? In fact, why carry your heavier cross? Our crosses it seems, vary greatly in the burden and the difficulties they inflict upon us. Why do some crosses appear to be far easier? And why do some appear to be so huge and heavy, our trust upon God’s wisdom and justice is already shaken to its very core? We see rich, beautiful people whose only problem it seems, are the next orders they’re going to pick from the menu. And then we see beggars who don’t even have a place to sleep at when night falls. We see celebrities gambling loads of money in a casino. And then we see parents doing back-breaking work day after day, just so they could send their children to school. We see politicians squandering the wealth of the nation, and getting credit for the small portion of funds spent in useles...

 A child is having a seizure, he foams at the mouth and gnashes his teeth, he is thrown to the ground and lays as rigid as a rock. Meanwhile, the disciples of Jesus gather around him, praying, laying their hands and shouting words of affirmation, trying to cast away the evil spirit that has possessed the child. Still, the child rolled around, foaming at the mouth. The disciples couldn’t drive away the malady. After all the miracles they’ve seen through Jesus, after all the miracles they have performed themselves, they stand defeated and confused. Just then, Jesus arrives and is quickly approached by the boy’s father, asking for the healing of his son. Jesus asks the man if he believes. The man answers, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Jesus commanded the spirit to depart, and at once, the boy was healed! After the crowd had left, the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t drive out the evil spirit. Jesus replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” But wasn’t ...

Growing old? At 30? Oh no! I used to believe myself to be young looking, someone who is infact a LOT younger than my age. Now why the sudden feeling of growing old? Didn’t I believe myself to be timeless? Ageless? Isn’t growing old merely a product of the mind and of the many beliefs we have of aging? I still believe that my spirit remains intact and young, ageless and eternal. But as to my physical self, I must admit that I had been a bit negligent in taking care of it. I didn’t eat sufficient fruit and vegetable servings, forgot (or should I say intended to forget) taking my vitamin supplements, missed my workouts and routine exercises. Is it a wonder then that I feel easily worn out and out of strength? Anything that we do not give proper attention to eventually breaks and fades away, anything not utilized eventually loses its strength. We are not mere spirit that we must forget the vehicle we are using at the moment to perform our divine commission. We have our...