What does the cross mean to you?

Luke9:23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as
My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take
up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may
come]and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living
and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. (AMP)
1Cor1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical]
to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it],
but to us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of]
the power of God.(AMP)

What does the cross mean to you? Each individual has to make a decision as
to whether it is a decoration or a symbol of salvation. Denying self for
the glory of God does not come easy. There are battles that go on in every
person as to how far, how extreme they are to live for Jesus. Picking up
your cross means forsaking the lust and cares of this world. It means
believing that Jesus dies for you and in return we must be willing to do
the same for Him. For many it would be easier to die for Jesus than to live
for Him. There is a story of Elvis, that he wore a cross, a star of David,
and the Hebrew letter chi.   He explained his jewelry choices as follows: *“I
don’t want to miss out on heaven due to a technicality.“ Following Jesus'
example in life is not an easy road, but where you end up will be heaven.*

Douglas