take up your Cross...

-Nicole has to memorize a bible verse as part of her new adventure at Quest - she got accepted into the program, "Accelerate" This is one of her first assignments. It's a simple task really, but I can tell she's excited about the program, because she's nervous about it.

Luke 9:23 (New International Version)

²³Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9:23 (New Living Translation)

²³ Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

Luke 9:23 (The Message)

^23-27Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God."

Luke 9:23 (King James Version)

²³And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.