...for my sake....

Mark 8 : 34 - 9 : 1

...whoever loses his life for my sake.....

It is not about the 'cross' primarily. We can get so focused on the 'crosses' of life that our true center is lost. Many have been able to bear crosses (in terms of sufferings) well - even people of no religious faith at all, stoically bearing with life's adversities. But here, the center is clear - It is "for my sake", for the sake of the One who calls those who wish to follow him. Because He is the center of it all, there is no risk of pride sneaking in ("how well I bear my many sufferings"), nor does it mean credit for those whose stoicism gives them an endurance way beyond that of others.

If it is all for the sake of Christ, self has taken a back seat. Even the ability to endure adversities and persevere comes from him. The reason we even wish to be able to give of ourselves and to lose ourselves is Christ, "for him". Paul was right: "no longer I but Christ who lives in me".

When we get the focus off center, even such a challenging passage can lead to dead ends. The goal is union of our wills with Christ (denying self), the means is the discipline of bearing with difficulties and persevering, in this fallen world.