Silently and Submissively.
By M. J. C.
“But take up our individual crosses, silently and submissively.” As I read those words I thought how very willing we are to bear crosses if we can only make a noise about it, and let all, or at least part, of our friends know we are bearing a cross; and we want to tell them what it is, and show them that it is far from easy, and that we bear it for some good purpose. Yes, we want sympathy, and want others to appreciate our burden; and so we groan, and look very sad, and make ourselves, at least, believe that the cross is far greater than it is, and the burden far heavier. Oh! we need to learn the lesson of submission. We should bear our burdens silently and submissively. See your Saviour wearily climbing the rugged ascent to Calvary. Does he pause, and, turning to the gathered throng say, I am suffering thus for you, my enemies? Or as he falls beneath the heavy cross, does he say, This is not for myself? Oh, no! Silently and submissively, he bears all. He makes no answer to the cruel taunting, and heartless jeers. He bears all in silence. And shall not this silence teach us a lesson? I do not say that always we must keep pent up in our own hearts the burdens which seem too heavy for us to bear alone. I only ask if it would not be better in most cases to take it to the Lord? If we can make up our minds to do so, we may “leave it there.” Yes leave it there, and he will help us to bear all silently and submissively. No need to trouble others with our little crosses. Jesus knows all about them and us, and he wants us to learn by them, lessons which we must learn if ever we are fitted for his glorious kingdom; lessons which we could not otherwise learn. And if in bearing them we are seeking the praise of others, if we are listening to hear some one say, How nobly he, or she, bears up under that burden, think you the designed lesson will be learned, or we reap in Heaven a reward for patience and submission? M. J. C.