Today’s Encouragement is, “Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.’” Luke 9:23 NLT
Give Up Your Own Way –
Ouch! That doesn’t sound like any fun! Neither does taking up your own cross!
The world tells us to “take what you want,” “make your own way,” and “my body, my choice.” It seems that the Self has become God!
Yet, deep within, most of us know that “our own way” is almost always destructive and selfish, ultimately leading to isolation.
Jesus modeled the application of this scriptural truth on the night of His arrest, just before His crucifixion, when He prayed, “Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done.” …and this was just a few hours before He took up His Cross.
Remember the response of His disciples, Simon and Andrew, and James and John, when He called them to follow Him – they left everything and immediately followed Him (ref). They gave up their own way, everything they knew, to follow Him.
Father God, help us give up our own way, our very lives, to take up whatever cross You may have for us and follow Jesus. We know this is the best choice we could ever make. We trust You, so we pray… not fully knowing what we are asking – Help us to truly follow Christ.
Make Room
Kim Walker-Smith
Today’s Encouragement 