Christianity has always insisted that the cross we bear preceeds the crown we wear. To be a Christian one must take up his cross with all its difficulties and agonizing and tension-packed content, and carry it until that very cross leaves its mark upon us and redeems us to that more excellent way which comes through suffering.

-Martin Luther King Jr.

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the good news you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Mark 8: 34-37

I carry this verse in my wallet to remind me of my true purpose, so that when I become blinded by my selfish ambition, I can be reminded that all things I do are from my soul and the Lover of my soul.