Elephants and Crosses

 By: Lauren Thomas

There is a method for eating an elephant, or so I am told. But quite frankly, elephant is not a dish that appeals to me. And while I never plan to partake of elephant, there are many “elephants” that I look at in dread, fearing the undertaking of. I have been told that the best way to approach a daunting task is by taking one bite at a time. There is even some Biblical truth in this.

In each of the three synoptic Gospels, we read accounts of Jesus teaching about taking up crosses, even before he physically hoisted his own onto his beaten back. There are 5 such passages across these gospels. But one of them includes a unique, if subtle, variation:

 

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9:23 ESV

 

Daily.

 

When I am reminded throughout the New Testament of the self-denial that Jesus encourages in us, I suddenly lose appetite for the elephant. The mere thought of living a life of cross-bearing inspires some trepidation. “No breaks? No days off? No me-time?”

 

And while that little word, “daily,” could be perceived as its own elephant, it is also a divine relief. Because when we shift focus from all the cross-bearing years ahead of us, and instead focus on just today, the load suddenly seems much more feasible.

 

Like diet fads or exercise programs or lofty goals, when we look at the big picture, we are sure to be deflated by discouragement. But when we decide moment by moment to make one small right choice, those moments really do stack up in surprising ways.

 

So stop looking at the spiritual elephants in your life. Instead, choose to eat the bites the Lord places before you today. Over time, you will see success. But don’t worry about that. Just worry about doing it today.  

 

Give us this day our daily bread

Matthew 6:11 ESV

 

Or, “…our daily portion of elephant.”

 

Reflection:

What is one elephant (aka, thing-that-God-is-calling-you-to-that-feels-too-big) in your life right now? How does your perspective change when you focus only on doing it “today”? What will it look like for you to eat today’s portion of elephant?