Denying Thyself is an Art

It's funny how the longer you live your life, the more you realize it's a contradiction. Especially if you anchor your life on a certain faith--for me, it's faith in Jesus.

It's funny, because the older you get, the more you realize the word of God is just...hard to live by. For a lot of people like me, with ambitions and goals that fulfill a certain need, it's just plain struggle when you come to a point of deciding to live for yourself or to live for Him. Let's just say being a wife and mother really hits close to home when talking about struggle. :)

But at the end of the day, when you get past that struggle point, do the right thing and live by His will instead of yours, you realize He rewards obedience. He raises the meek. He makes the last first, and the first last.

The feeling of denying yourself is not pleasant at all. But realizing what it means to God I guess eases the burden, and turns it into an act of worship. 

For didn't Jesus tell his disciples --  "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." (Luke 9:23-24)

You know what, I'd rather lose my life here on earth and gain eternity with Him. It's hard to take in, yes. Especially if you've been so used to doggedly having your way, making things happen. But who said the Christian life was ever easy, anyway? Only by grace. And only when we give Him back the glory.

And so I say denying thyself is an art. It's not easy, it takes a long time to master, and it's beautiful to our Maker. 

Photo credits: http://www.blogtheword365.com/2012/08/15/8-15-2012-what-if/