Holy Spirit, I’m sorry. I’ve grieved you and I’m sorry. The ways I’ve grieved you are many and in many ways, I don’t even want to revisit that pain. But I know that in your kindness, that I can not only revisit the pain, but actually, finally heal from it. No more wallowing in it, no part of me wallowing or holding on to myself. For Jesus, you say that if we lose ourselves for your sake, we will actually find ourselves. It’s by your name we pray because of the power, you conquered death! Whom shall I fear? Amen.
Jesus doesn’t mince words. He doesn’t want just a little bit of me or you. He’s talking about your WHOLE self. That’s radical. That’s what following Jesus looks like and every time we just try to do a little, it will be uncomfortable. The real truth is that you will lose your soul to the world anyway. The world cannot sustain a soul as Jesus can. The world cannot fill you back up, redeemed. The world sucks you up, maybe dresses you up for awhile, but sooner or later you will not be any closer to “finding” yourself until you surrender to Jesus. If you don’t know Him, He’s not what you think and most likely not what you’ve heard, if you’ve heard a watered down version of Him. The gospels are the greatest way to connect or reconnect with Jesus. Really listen to what He says. He is the answer you seek.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Mathew 16:24-25 NIV
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? Matthew 16:24-26 The Message
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