July 14th

JULY 14th

Sometimes the way that seems right is not the right way and sometimes the right way is an unexpected way -at least to our human minds. This is why it is so important for us to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit rather than our own logic or reasoning.

We want the easy way, the “me” way, the popular way, but Jesus said to deny ourselves. We don’t like to hear that, but it is important. So ask yourself, “Why did He say we should deny ourselves and follow Him?” -Because He wants to give us abundant life, full life, true life. That why is important, it’s the point, remember giving up stuff doesn’t fulfill us, refraining from certain things doesn’t fulfill us. The sacrifice isn’t the point, what we gain is the point. When you look at that verse again, Jesus didn’t stop at the words “deny themselves,” He finished the sentence, the point with a mission for us, something to gain, something to focus on, something to do. Take up our cross and follow Him.

Luke 9:23-24 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

We must remember that the most fulfilled version of ourselves is when we are in the middle of God’s mission, NOT when WE ARE the mission ourselves. If we can just get the words of Jesus down in our hearts and minds and let that be who we become, we will experience a fulfilled life in a way that we have never before. Spend some time reading and internalizing the gospels, especially the words of Jesus. Seems like everything He said is the opposite of what you would expect.

Lose your life to save it, love your enemies, turn the other cheek, forgive those who persecute you, etc.

But that is the key to a fulfilled life, Jesus is leading us in the WAY. The world says, it is your life, you should save it, protect it, make it comfortable, hold on to everything you can and you will be happy and fulfilled. NOPE -give it away. Jesus makes it clear that His way is the opposite. Want fulfillment? Take on the mission of Jesus and you will quickly find it fulfilling in a way you never dreamed.

These days we don’t often hear anyone preaching about giving sacrificially, selling everything you have, going anywhere God calls you. Instead we say we will serve God but we put boundaries on that… I will live here and work here and I will serve You here Lord but don’t ask me to go to sub-Saharan Africa or New York City or Podunk, Arkansas. I will tell people about you if they ask but I won’t initiate the conversation. How’s that working for you?

Let’s seek God together and ask Him to help us follow Him everyday in a way that we have not yet and then let’s share with each other the fulfillment and encouragement we experience.

Jesus, thank you that your way is not my way. Help me to remember that every single day. As I face my day, show me when I am thinking about me instead of about you and your mission. Thank you for your love and patience and help me to reflect that to others. Help me to give up my life to save it and help me understand what that means day to day.