Most Glorious Lord, I rejoice in the fact that You have placed a calling on my life. As a result of my accepting that calling, I expect my old ways to disappear and be replaced with new ways that align with who You are. Following You cannot become a “when it feels good” only experience, but one in which I make a spiritual commitment to make You the most important One in my life. To become a “true disciple”, I must be willing to lay down my life and take up Yours. Unless I love You more than anyone or anything else I cannot become a “real disciple”. I must be willing to follow the path You have laid out for me regardless of the cost. You must be loved as the supreme good that fills my life. I must be “all in” for You or I am against You. I cannot follow You as part of a fad but I must undertake a new way of living. You must become the center of my life. Either I’m for You or I’m against You.
If anything, or anyone other than You … mother, father, spouse, kids, job, possessions … hold the high place in my life, I am not worthy of You. If I put You at the top spot in my life, You will order all the other things into their proper place and none will suffer loss. I must subject everything in my life to service and devotion to You. Everything must be brought into subjection to You, Your wishes, and Your ways. Unless I hate my own life and pursue one filled with You, my life will have been lived in vain and makes me a “fair-weather disciple”. My life is no longer about me … but You. Everything must revolve around You and the belief that You will order everything in my life. If I try to save myself from pain and discomfort, I will likely risk losing everything You offer. When I give my life to You, I find real purpose for living. In submitting to You, I am choosing You over sin and self-gratification.
You explained clearly what I must be willing to do if I am to be a follower when You said “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.” In Jesus’ time a cross was a demeaning way to suffer and die. Anyone carrying a cross was headed toward the place where he would suffer and die. Following Christ meant a commitment which required death to self and had no provision for turning back. To take up my cross and follow You entails complete devotion to You, your values, Your morals, and Your purposes even if I must lose the most important thing in my life. It means death to self so I can live for You. In submission to You, I pledge my whole existence to Your service. I do not want to be a “fair-weather fan”, but a real follower. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Matthew 16:24 Jesus then said to His disciples, if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”