Following Jesus is hard. It was hard for the first disciples, hard for the early church, and it's hard for us too. While Jesus' admonition to "take up the cross and follow me," may be a literal reality for some in our world today; it is also a metaphorical reality for all of us who follow Jesus. As we travel this hard journey, we follow Jesus who leads the way, who never wants us to forget that we are eternally valued. 

Matthew 10:24-39