…where HE leads…
…where HE leads…
Feb 08I’ve been intrigued with a familiar passage today… imagine being one of the disciples as Jesus speaks these words:
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, ”If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? 37 Is anything worth more than your soul? Mark 8:34-37
A few thoughts that a disciple may have thought…
- If anyone wants to be a follower? I thought I already was!
- Selfish ways? Really?! I gave up everything (family, friends & career) for You.
- Take up my cross? Huh?? What’s that supposed to mean?
- How does one not hang on to his life?? Or, how do you know when you really lose it?
- Can you be a disciple and still not be a follower?
- Ok, I know that we have a soul; but I’m not sure I understand the whole losing it / finding it thing.
Yeah, we have lots of questions!! But, HE is the answer! Being a disciple can become something other than whole-hearted obedience to the Lord. We can never forget, it’s not a private club but a passionate pursuit that always has room for MORE! IF we will allow our pride, fears, selfishness and control to die (Galatians 2:20 style) then the life that follows has power & purpose. We all say we would ‘die’ for Him but that shouldn’t simply imply a willingness to be killed but also a willingness to kill the things that break His heart everyday! Make sense?
Join the journey, my friend.
reminds me of some familiar lyrics:
…If you walk away, walk away. I walk away, walk away - I will follow, Chilly
I really like how u formed the questions those disciples (and us) must have had. And i want to strive to kill the things that break His heart. Thanks for helping to make the familiar NEW!
that point about discipleship not being a private club is really good. i know i have a temptation to circle the wagons once something hits a critical mass, like a small group or even a group of friends.
but that’s not how it’s supposed to be. thanks for the reminder!
I like when you said: “Yeah, we have lots of questions!! But, HE is the answer!” It seems like sometimes we think that we need to have everything figured out; but, in reality, I know that I’ll never know everything. I guess more important than what I know is who I know.
Thanks, Pastor.
so true…this brings peace and struggle to my heart at the same time, to die to myself but know that I am being made perfect in Him by dieing. It took me till last week with your post on Luke 9 to really understand what carry your cross ment. I love God’s constant revelation to a verse heard so many times over!