“The cross teaches us to believe in hope even when there is no hope. In fact, there is no  other way to heaven than taking up the cross of Christ. On account of this we must be  careful that the active life with its good works, and the contemplative life with its  speculations, do not lead us astray.
Both are most attractive and yield peace of mind, but for that very reason they hide real  dangers, unless they are tempered by the cross and disturbed by adversaries. The cross  is the surest path of all. Blessed is the man who understands this truth.”
~ Martin Luther