“And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:38, NIV 1984).

I am not an overtly religious person. I prefer to enter quiet conversations that lead to discussions of our Savior. I don’t like wearing my faith on a lapel…until recently. We were attending a CMDA event in Raleigh-Durham when Dr. Craig Fowler handed out gold crosses. I looked to see if he was wearing one and he was. He challenged us to put them on our own lapels. It now rests each day on the left lapel of my white coat and I am impressed that it has more likely changed me than affected the folks around me.

Once it is obvious to the world that we are followers of Christ, we are a watched people.

We are watched by the world to see who this Jesus is, to see if we are “better than they,” to see if we condemn who they are, to see if we love more, serve more, sacrifice more, to see if we live up to the crosses on our lapels.

We are watched by God. “Way to go. Talk is cheap. Can you live it? Can you live it if it hurts?” We may be loved the same, but we are watched differently.

We watch ourselves differently. With that cross on my lapel, I am constantly reminded that I am a representative for the Savior of the world. I am constantly reminded that my unkindness is seen as His unkindness and my acts of love are seen as His acts. I find that I discipline my actions more, in a good way, for His glory.

Once our “secret” is out, we are a watched people.

I still wonder how I am going to respond when someone asks me, “Why are you wearing that cross?” I think the best response is the one that Dr. Fowler gives to those who ask him the same question, “It reminds me to love you more.”

Dear Father,
Let me wear your cross well.
Amen