“And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Marl 8:34-35).
We were created. God created us. We were born into a rebellion of the heart where we act as though we created ourselves. If we cling to what we think life is, we will go ever deeper into ourselves and the illusion that we have control. If we deny ourselves and go with the Lord where He leads, He will show us what life is eternally. The journey is hard because we need to be led out of ourselves and into the Lord. Jesus came to set us free. We are in bondage and must be set free.
Lord, I know this, but my rebellion wells up within me and I sink back down into the pit, believing I am able to control circumstances. Help me to see things clearly and humbly walk wherever You lead me. Guide me according to Your purpose to live into the life You have set before me. Grant me the grace to step out and the faith to learn how to trust You above all things.
Dear Jesus, You have watched and guided countless souls who struggle with the same struggle that I have. You know the way out of the maze of deception that is all around an in me. Lord, I desire to follow You, but I get in the way. Teach me what it means and were I need to deny myself in order to take up my cross and follow You. Help me to look to You and follow You where You lead. Amen.
