March 8: MISSING THE CROSS FOR THE EARRINGS
📖 Luke 14:27 - "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."
The Distraction of Appearances
Have you ever had someone completely miss your message because they were too focused on how you looked? Maybe it was your tattoo, your earrings, or the way you dress. It's fascinating how quickly we judge books by their covers, isn't it?
I want to share something that's been heavy on my heart lately. So many times when I post videos sharing Christ's love, hoping to encourage someone who's struggling with faith, the comments section fills with something unexpected. Instead of engaging with the message, someone inevitably points out my earrings or tattoos.
➡️ "You should read your Bible more." ➡️ "If you truly understood Scripture, you wouldn't look like that." ➡️ "You're not worthy to speak about Jesus."
These comments used to ignite something fierce in me. I'd immediately draft lengthy defenses, explaining why these judgments were misplaced, hoping they'd see things my way. But something has shifted in my journey with Jesus.
📖 Luke 14:27 - "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."
This verse has taken on new meaning for me. When Jesus talked about bearing our cross, He wasn't talking about earrings or tattoos or outward appearances. He was talking about total surrender to Him, regardless of what others think.
The Pharisees criticized Jesus constantly because He didn't meet their expectations. He ate with sinners, healed on the Sabbath, and broke their human-imposed religious rules. Jesus' response was clear: true discipleship is about the heart, not superficial compliance to human traditions.
I've realized that my defensive responses were just as much a distraction as their judgments. Each moment spent defending my appearance was energy taken away from my true calling—bearing my cross and sharing Christ's love.
What external judgments or distractions have pulled your focus away from what truly matters in your walk with Christ?
Bearing the True Cross
What does it really mean to take up your cross as a follower of Jesus? Is it about following a dress code, or is it something much deeper?
In my last message, I shared how easily we can get distracted by outward appearances—both judging others and defending ourselves. Today, I want to dig deeper into what Jesus actually meant when He said:
📖 Luke 14:27 - "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."
In Jesus' day, bearing a cross wasn't symbolic or comfortable—it was a brutal reality. It meant shame, rejection, and absolute surrender. When Jesus invited followers to bear their cross, He wasn't calling them to a life of perfect outward appearances. He was inviting them into radical surrender.
Yet today, we've distorted this view of cross-bearing. We've made it about conforming to human expectations rather than surrendering everything to Christ. We judge others by standards Jesus never set, burdening them with expectations that have nothing to do with true discipleship.
Let me share something personal. As my relationship with Jesus has deepened, I've discovered that true freedom comes from understanding whose approval really matters. It's not about conforming to others' expectations or defending my right to express myself—it's about living completely surrendered to Christ.
✅ The moment you realize your discipleship is solely defined by your willingness to carry your cross and follow Jesus is the moment you find true freedom.
Here's what this looks like practically:
1️⃣ Examine your heart, not your wardrobe.
Spend time reflecting not on outward appearances but on the state of your heart. Are you fully surrendered, willing to bear your cross regardless of others' opinions?
2️⃣ Release the need for approval.
True discipleship means living for an audience of One—Jesus. Ask God to free you from the fear of others' judgment.
3️⃣ Redirect your focus.
When faced with criticism, rather than responding defensively, channel that energy into serving and sharing Christ's love instead.
💬 Which of these practical steps resonates most with where you are in your faith journey right now? Let’s talk about it in the comments.
Freedom in True Identity
Have you ever felt the weight of trying to please everyone around you? What if I told you that Jesus offers a radically different path—one where your worth isn't determined by others' opinions?
We've been exploring what it truly means to bear our cross and follow Jesus. We've seen how easily we can be distracted by outward appearances and how Jesus calls us to something deeper—a life of complete surrender to Him.
Today, I want to focus on the incredible freedom that comes when we embrace our true identity in Christ.
📖 Matthew 23:25-26 - "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean."
The journey I've been sharing with you—from defensiveness about my appearance to freedom in Christ—has been transformative. I've discovered that when your identity is firmly rooted in Christ's calling, the opinions and judgments of others lose their power over you.
This doesn't mean we disregard all feedback or live however we want. Rather, it means we filter everything through the lens of our primary calling: to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, bearing our cross daily.
When I stopped exhausting myself defending my appearance and instead channeled that energy into deepening my relationship with Jesus and serving others, something beautiful happened.
✨ I found peace. ✨ I found purpose. ✨ I found freedom.
💡 Friend, hear me on this: Your worth isn't determined by how you look, what others think of you, or how well you conform to human expectations. Your worth is established by the One who created you, who loves you, and who calls you to follow Him.
The moment you embrace this truth is the moment the chains of people-pleasing and performance fall away. You're free to live authentically for Christ—not perfecting your appearance, but surrendering your heart.
🙏 Let’s pray together:
Father, forgive us when we judge others by superficial standards and lose sight of true discipleship. Teach us to carry our cross faithfully, focusing only on following You wholeheartedly. Free us from the need to defend ourselves and help us rest securely in Your calling. In Jesus' name, Amen.
💬 If this series has resonated with you, I invite you to join our 30-Day Prayer Challenge. Let's walk together in true surrender, focusing only on the cross and Christ's love that binds us all.
📢 Christian content like this thrives when shared. Your like, comment, or share means more than you know—it helps others encounter these truths about freedom in Christ. What area of your life do you need to surrender more fully to Jesus today? Share in the comments, and let's encourage one another. 🙌
An Invitation to go Deeper….
If today’s message spoke to you, join the FaithLabz 30-Day Prayer Challenge and strengthen your connection with God’s unshakable love. You are never alone—let’s grow together!
