We sometimes say, “Lord, here I am. Use me. I say yes to whatever it is you have for me.”

🖤Until....

The road gets hard and we have to turn the other cheek when someone strikes us.

🖤Until...

We have to submit one to another and pray for our enemies.

🖤Until...

We have to love those who hate us and persecute us.

🖤Until...

We have to give up something very costly in order to follow Him.

🖤Until...

We want to fight for our rights and make the other person “pay” for what they have done to us.

Following Jesus and telling Him He “can have it all” means we lay down our rights, we take up our crosses, and we follow Him.

Sometimes we think we are saying yes to a great adventure of all things beautiful and sunshiny when we follow Jesus. Instead, the path will sometimes lead us into the darkest night of the soul in order to discover that clinging onto Him is our only hope. He’s our only light in the darkest of nights.

Following Christ means becoming like Him. Humble. Loving God and dying for the sake of others. God first. Others second. Me....I don’t see where Jesus ever focused on “me.”

God, help me to die to self and live for Your purposes to love and sacrifice for the sake of others. Cultivate love, joy, peace, and all of the fruits of YOUR Spirit within me. May I escape the trap of “me first” and resurrect into something way more meaningful and purposeful.

To God be the glory. 🤍🥀🌹