There is no other way to serve Christ than by following Him, and He died on a cross! Being where Jesus is involves pain and suffering and it means losing our lives, but that is where He wants us and that is where we should want to be.

If two men are on the same road heading toward the same destination, then the first of the men shall arrive first and be waiting for the second, who will eventually arrive at exactly the same place because they were using the same road. Being where Jesus is cannot help but be a wonderful thing (2 Cor 5:8, Php 1:23, Rev 21:3, 22:20). Hunter remarks, “It has been said that ‘follow me’ is the whole of a Christian’s duty, as to ‘be’ where Christ is is the whole of his reward.”

2 Corinthians 5:8  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Philippians 1:23  I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

Revelation 21:3  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

Revelation 22:20  He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

My knowledge of that life is small,
The eye of faith is dim;
But ‘tis enough that Christ knows all,
And I shall be with him.

Richard Baxter

Is that the desire of your heart — to be with Jesus? The way to get there is to follow Him.