Lose Your Life

The world tells us we will be happy if we live for ourselves...do whatever pleases us.  When I look around at the results of that, I see anxiety, unnecessary pain, hopelessness, divorce, abandoned children, all forms of abuse, the list goes on and on.  We are never satisfied in ourselves, we always want more!  It wrecks us and the people around us.  We suck the life out of each other in an effort to feel more alive.

"Self-seeking becomes self-destruction." (ESV commentary Isaiah 9:18-21)

God's ways are so different than ours.

"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."  (Matthew 10:38-39 ESV)

"Crucifixion is a shocking metaphor for discipleship.  A disciple must deny himself (die to self-will), take up his cross (embrace God's will, no matter the cost), and follow Christ."  (ESV commentary Matthew 10:38)

"The path of self-sacrifice is the path to glory."  -B.B. Warfield

It doesn't make sense to our intellects, it doesn't satisfy our flesh.  But it's true.  I have experienced the joy in dying to myself!

The results are the exact opposite of the ones I listed above.  There's peace even in the storm.  Pain doesn't have to be in vain, and in the end brings healing to our beings.  We are not without hope. Marriages can not only survive, but actually thrive.  Children are embraced and orphans find homes.  There is no abuse.

The Lord Jesus is a much better master than I am.  I find lasting satisfaction in being His servant.  I am honored to serve the living God, Maker of heaven and earth.  His blessings overwhelm me!

"Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises His ways will die."  
(Proverbs 19:16 ESV)