A Roman coin was once found with the picture of an ox on it; the ox was facing two things -- an altar and a plough; and the inscription read: "Ready for either". The ox had to be ready either for the supreme moment of sacrifice on the altar or the long labor of the plough on the farm. There is no one cup for the Christian living. To drink the cup simply means to follow Christ wherever he may lead, and to be like him in any situation life may bring.
This is the reason for naming my blog. When I first believed, almost 6 years ago, I read about this coin in a book, and I have had the thought before me ever since. When God awakened me, He didn't awaken me to live without purpose, absent of direction, biding my time until death; but instead to push forward with all my strength toward the finish line. I love this analogy because an ox has two destinations in his life: to be sacrificed and eaten or to pull the plow and work the ground. This should and must be the mindset of every follower of Jesus- work tirelessly until the day He calls us to lay it all down.
In the end of Luke 9, Jesus, speaking of the enormous cost of discipleship, says, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
As followers, we need to put our hand to the plow. We need to work the ground so the seed can die and find new life and bear much fruit. If we are unable to do this, well, Jesus' words above should be enough.
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