The American way is to seek comfort, to avoid that which makes our way rough. We’ve gone to the 40 hour work week. We go like mad over the weekend, so we’re getting our share of leisure time. My problem was always needing to rest up after vacation. Silly pursuits. I had the same desire for our children, trying to set it for them to have it easy, so they could avoid conflict. They deserve the American way, right?
So I come upon the scripture where Jesus tells me to “Deny yourself and take up your cross daily.” That doesn’t really sound like comfort or avoiding strife. Expletive. I have lots of questions. Why does Jesus want me to deny myself? Doesn’t He want me to be happy? Isn’t getting what I want going to make me happy? I always have lots more questions than I can ever find answers. I have many suppositions.
Perhaps Jesus would like me to think of others before myself. So if I deny myself, it may help me see someone else’s need, or even supply it. If I’m taking up my cross daily, it reminds me of how Jesus sacrificed for me. It reminds me of what He sacrificed for me. He commands us to, “Do likewise.” I remind myself to keep the correct focus, to keep connected to the proper power source, to love, to apply grace, to serve, to have joy, to pray, to obey, and to have a thankful heart every morning. I also need to deny myself. Does that take a conscious effort? Do I need to say, “Oh I won’t injest that, or I won’t do that because I’m denying myself?” Does denying self always involve sacrifice? Should that sacrifice then be applied for someone else’s benefit?
I haven’t arrived at anything definite. Sometimes I hate denying myself. I don’t always find it easy or convenient. I wonder if/how Jesus denied Himself. I’m sure He’s experienced everything I’ve gone through because He understands. I need His strength to go forward. I need others to keep me accountable. I need to be honest and transparent. I’m certainly not perfect, and I stumble quite often. Jesus is my guide and my light. If He says, “Deny yourself,” I’d better obey. All questions will be answered by and by.
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Ive been studying about what it means to deny yourself and take up your cross. first question is what is the cross? It is your redemption it is were you go to find forgiveness for your sins. we took up the cross when we first were saved so let us not give it up. we must every day every moment realize that Jesus took and defeated sin on the cross. He paid the penalty. My cross is his cross that he already bore. I have been crucified with Christ I no longer live but Christ lives in me. You do not get the Love of God because your obedient. But he pours his Love in you so you can be obedient. This is the beauty of the cross it is never a burden or hard Jesus said my yoke is easy and my burden is light. The cross is freedom. freedom from your sin. It is a reminder of what Jesus Did. I carry in my body the death of Christ so I can live. Its the same place we went to when we first got saved. We went to the cross fell on our knees realized Jesus paid the penalty gave him our sins denied its power and followed him. It is a grace gift. Now we kneed to do it daily. I do it because the love of God has been poured in to my heart. and I do not want to hurt the one I love. I want to be right with him and I have the access to do it any time I fall short Its only a cross away. The Good news of the Gospel
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