Of all the things Jesus could have said to do daily...
   
                                                                                        Read the Bible...
                 
                                ...Spend an hour in prayer
Go to Church...
                                                                                                  ...Share the Gospel
               Study Theology...
                                                      ...Walk an old lady across the street
        Fast...
                                          Think 'spiritual' thoughts...
  Go to a third world country...
                                                                             ...Advocate for social justice 
Meditate... 


He says, "Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me." 

None of these things is inherently bad. 

But they aren't the essence of the Christian life, either. 

The essence of Christianity is taking up His Cross. 

And it's... heavy. 

Every.

Day.