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經文：「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。」（可8:34） 主耶穌為我預備的十字架，無論形狀或大小，都是祂親自設計的。當我覺得有能力做大事業的時候；也許我的十字架要我懷著知足的心，在一個簡陋狹窄的工場裡安心工作；或者在一個似乎結不出果子的田地裡，一年又一年地持續耕種。 也許我的十字架要我用恩慈，去愛一個曾經苦待過我的敵人；用溫和的態度對他說話；與他站在同一邊幫助他，以抵抗一切反對他的人；用同情和援助去支持他。也許我的十字架要我在那些不願意聽見主的聖名的人中間承認基督；也許我的十字架要我在心碎的時候，仍然在人們面前展露一個清晨的榮面。 十字架的大小與種類各有不同，並且每一個都是痛而沉重，我找不出任何一個比較適合的。但是當我擧起自己的十字架，順服地將它背在肩上，用堅定忍耐的精神去接受它的時候，正是主耶穌離我最近的時候。 主耶穌時常在我最憂愁與痛苦的時候，加添我的智慧，加深我的平安，加增我的勇氣，加大我的能力。--司買莉 Alexander Smellie 用你的十字架做幫助你前進的拐杖，不要用它來來做絆倒你的絆腳石。 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
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Scripture: "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34). The cross which my Lord bids me take up and carry may assume different shapes. I may have to content myself with a lowly and narrow sphere, when I feel that I have capacities for much higher work. I may have to go on cultivating year after year, a field which seems to yield me no harvests whatsoever. I may be bidden to cherish kind and loving thoughts about someone who has wronged me--be bidden speak to him tenderly, and take his part against all who oppose him, and crown him with sympathy and succor. I may have to confess my Master amongst those who do not wish to be reminded of Him and His claims. I may be called to "move among my race, and show a glorious morning face," when my heart is breaking. There are many crosses, and every one of them is sore and heavy. None of them is likely to be sought out by me of my own accord. But never is Jesus so near me as when I lift my cross, and lay it submissively on my shoulder, and give it the welcome of a patient and unmurmuring spirit. He draws close, to ripen my wisdom, to deepen my peace, to increase my courage, to augment my power to be of use to others, through the very experience which is so grievous and distressing, and then--as I read on the seal of one of those Scottish Covenanters whom Claverhouse imprisoned on the lonely Bass, with the sea surging and sobbing round--I grow under the load.--Alexander Smellie. "Use your cross as a crutch to help you on, and not as a stumblingblock to cast you down." ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
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