The Purpose of the Cross

I used to think about the Cross of Christ's Passion as all
suffering - with shame in the punishment & abuse issued.


I now see that may have been the purpose of the cross - to take
all of that - for Christ to suffer that and die with it - for us.


that simple thought opened my eyes to "my cross" - which I am
directed to take up - may have suffering, AND it may have JOY


My cross if the purpose God made for me. 


I now choose to celebrate it, both the joy & the pain,