Today’s Gospel, Matthew 16:24-28, speaks to me in a deeply personal way because it challenges me to reflect on the many roles I play in life and how I live out my faith in each of them. As a leader, colleague, family member, friend, and member of my community, I am constantly trying to balance responsibilities, expectations, and personal goals. In each role, there is often a temptation to focus on achievement, recognition, or control. Yet Jesus’ invitation to “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me” reminds me that true leadership and discipleship begin with humility, trust, and a willingness to let faith guide my actions.
The call to take up my cross is not necessarily about dramatic acts of sacrifice but about the daily choices I make. As a professional, it may mean putting people before projects and leading with integrity rather than seeking personal success. As a family member and friend, it may mean being patient, present, and supportive even when it requires setting aside my own ideas or timeline. In every role I hold, following Christ pushes me to look beyond my own preferences and priorities, choosing instead to lead, serve, and love in ways that place others at the center. Through these daily acts of selflessness, I am continually shaped by God’s grace and grow in my faith.
Jesus poses the question, “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” I had to read this several times and sit with it. For me, the question becomes: What value is there in gaining wealth, status, and influence if it comes at the expense of your faith, character, and relationships? It is easy to become consumed by deadlines, achievements, and the pursuit of “more”. Yet titles, awards, and possessions are temporary. What truly matters is the impact I have on others, the relationships I nurture, and the faith with which I live each day.
For me, one of the most powerful messages in this passage is Christ’s promise that true life is found not in holding on to ourselves, but in placing our trust in God. I am reminded that when I surrender my desire for control and allow Christ to guide my decisions, I become more fully the person God created me to be. As I navigate the many roles in my life, this Gospel encourages me to remain grounded in faith, trusting that God is present in my journey, shaping my life with purpose and love.
Becky Nickerson
As a Creighton employee of over 20 years, a course instructor, an alumna, and a mom of a Bluejay alum, I am grateful that so much of my journey has been centered in a place that has encouraged me to explore and grow in my faith and live out a mission that is core to my own value system. I love my work, I am rooted in my faith, and I’m really not sure how I could ever separate them at this point. I am excited to be a new contributor to Creighton’s online ministry – learning and serving in a new way.
