Luke 9:23 (NIV) Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
This verse demands powerful and unrestraint commitment as a disciple towards Jesus, the Master. If we choose to follow the Master, we ought to deny ourselves (to be completely humble before God, and to choose to lay down/ to let go of all our fleshy desires AND take up the cross (the suffering and purposes of Christ) in our lives. And this process of denying oneself and taking up His cross is not a one-time thing. We are called to deny ourselves and take His cross DAILY and follow Him.
I remembered when I was 18 years old, I shared this with my cell group back in my previous church. We were just trying out the cell group concept then and I was put to be in-charged of the ‘Word’ part. The topic was on the cost of being a disciple. So I shared and encouraged my cell group members (which consisted leaders, and mostly being more mature in their spiritual walk) that we must always be ready to make sacrifices for God. We must be ready to let go of the things in life, and fully commit ourselves to His calling and purposes. Then, I was ready to let go of everything and do whatever that God would want me to do. I was ready to pack my bag and leave for mission etc. I was willing to do anything and everything. All I need to hear is God saying, “GO!” or “DO THIS!” or “DO THAT!" But when I shared my heart, one of them literally laughed at me. She said something to this extend, “Girl, it is always easier said than done. You are still young. Wait till you accomplish more in life etc. I don’t think I’m ready to make huge sacrifices for God.” Frankly I was a bit disheartened then. But I made a commitment to follow Him till the very end. I’d do anything for Him. I’d go down any road, at any cost for Him!
This whole week, I found myself grappling with the whole issue of commitment, making sacrifices and letting go of the things that I hold on to very dearly. Over these few months, I’ve unknowingly allowed other things and priorities to take the very place of God. And I wasn’t willing to let go of certain things in my life. I wasn’t willing to make any sacrifices. I was comfortable the way I am. I found myself telling God, “It is impossible to walk down this road. It is too long, too narrow. This sacrifice is a bit too costly. I don’t think I can afford it. I don’t think I can let go of these things. They are very precious to me. They have become so much a part of my life. It will be too painful to let go! What will happen to these things if I let go?” (I’m not saying the things I’m holding on to are bad. It was just not handled properly or the way God would want me to).
But how can I call myself His disciple unless I am willing to be humble before Him, letting go of the things that have taken His rightful place and take upon His purposes and will? I know this is something that I need to deal with. I won’t deny that it will be painful to let go of these things. I won’t deny the fear that I have just thinking of how things will end up to be. I know it will not be easy. But I want to be obedient. I want to just trust Him even though I may not know what He is doing right now, or where He is leading me to. I want to have that unrestraint commitment towards God.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, please forgive me for being selfish. Forgive me for allowing other things to take Your rightful place. Give me the strength to lay down all my fleshy desires. Help me take on Your purposes. Continue to awake my heart to have the capacity to contain You. I may not know exactly the things You have in store for me. I would not know the future but I just want to trust in You. I surrender all that I am and all that I have for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
This verse demands powerful and unrestraint commitment as a disciple towards Jesus, the Master. If we choose to follow the Master, we ought to deny ourselves (to be completely humble before God, and to choose to lay down/ to let go of all our fleshy desires AND take up the cross (the suffering and purposes of Christ) in our lives. And this process of denying oneself and taking up His cross is not a one-time thing. We are called to deny ourselves and take His cross DAILY and follow Him.
I remembered when I was 18 years old, I shared this with my cell group back in my previous church. We were just trying out the cell group concept then and I was put to be in-charged of the ‘Word’ part. The topic was on the cost of being a disciple. So I shared and encouraged my cell group members (which consisted leaders, and mostly being more mature in their spiritual walk) that we must always be ready to make sacrifices for God. We must be ready to let go of the things in life, and fully commit ourselves to His calling and purposes. Then, I was ready to let go of everything and do whatever that God would want me to do. I was ready to pack my bag and leave for mission etc. I was willing to do anything and everything. All I need to hear is God saying, “GO!” or “DO THIS!” or “DO THAT!" But when I shared my heart, one of them literally laughed at me. She said something to this extend, “Girl, it is always easier said than done. You are still young. Wait till you accomplish more in life etc. I don’t think I’m ready to make huge sacrifices for God.” Frankly I was a bit disheartened then. But I made a commitment to follow Him till the very end. I’d do anything for Him. I’d go down any road, at any cost for Him!
This whole week, I found myself grappling with the whole issue of commitment, making sacrifices and letting go of the things that I hold on to very dearly. Over these few months, I’ve unknowingly allowed other things and priorities to take the very place of God. And I wasn’t willing to let go of certain things in my life. I wasn’t willing to make any sacrifices. I was comfortable the way I am. I found myself telling God, “It is impossible to walk down this road. It is too long, too narrow. This sacrifice is a bit too costly. I don’t think I can afford it. I don’t think I can let go of these things. They are very precious to me. They have become so much a part of my life. It will be too painful to let go! What will happen to these things if I let go?” (I’m not saying the things I’m holding on to are bad. It was just not handled properly or the way God would want me to).
But how can I call myself His disciple unless I am willing to be humble before Him, letting go of the things that have taken His rightful place and take upon His purposes and will? I know this is something that I need to deal with. I won’t deny that it will be painful to let go of these things. I won’t deny the fear that I have just thinking of how things will end up to be. I know it will not be easy. But I want to be obedient. I want to just trust Him even though I may not know what He is doing right now, or where He is leading me to. I want to have that unrestraint commitment towards God.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, please forgive me for being selfish. Forgive me for allowing other things to take Your rightful place. Give me the strength to lay down all my fleshy desires. Help me take on Your purposes. Continue to awake my heart to have the capacity to contain You. I may not know exactly the things You have in store for me. I would not know the future but I just want to trust in You. I surrender all that I am and all that I have for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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