What does it mean to truly loose your life? To give up everything for the sake of the Kingdom? To hand over everything you've ever wanted in life for something greater than you can imagine? To be a disciple. When we say we are "Christians" are we really saying.. I hate life itself; that I'm going to give up everything to follow Jesus Christ? I'm slowly beginning to realize just how deep these questions really are. In Luke 14:26-27, Jesus states "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children brothers and sisters - yes even life itself- such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Wow. To hate even life itself? Don't get me wrong, this world and life can be fun at times, but underneath it all we are just searching for something real - the living water: Jesus Christ. "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst." (John 4:13-14) Jesus clearly states that this living water is so much more fulfilling than what the world can offer us. Yet, and so many times this part is left out, when we come to this place of need at the well of living water that Jesus offers us, why are we surprised that God asks something of us also? He clearly tells us that we must carry our cross daily, not just on Sundays (and I speak to myself also). He goes on in Luke 13:33 that "In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything cannot be my disciples." This almost pains me to even read: that if we aren't willing to give up what we want, when He gave up life for us, we absolutely cannot follow Him. Is it really our heart's desire to follow Him, or follow ourselves into an unfulfillable life?
~ "Am I now trying to win human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10
