Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
I love bumper stickers! Whoever thought of putting a few witty words on a sticker on the bumper of a car was ingenius.
As I am reading through today's discipleship dare, I am reminded of a bumper sticker that we, as Christians (maybe even some of you reading this blog), have place on our vehicles.
It says, "God is my co-pilot."
It makes me cringe everytime I see it. Why? Because that means God is #2, not #1.
All of us want to be the "captain of our own souls". We want to be in control. I, for one, do not like to be out of control. I like to know that I am completely in control of the circumstances around me. I decide when the alarm goes off in the morning. I decided what I'm going to wear and how to do my hair. I decide what I'm going to eat for breakfast. I...I...I...
God is calling me to a life of self-denial, "to deny myself and take up his cross". It means, I let go of I and let HIM have control. It means I put aside my selfish desires, my personal agenda, and let God take me where He will.
If I am heeding the dare to follow Him (Day 1), then I need to put aside my own "directions", to deny myself the control that I so desperately believe I need, and let God direct my path.
Self-denial is not the putting on of sackcloth and ashes and looking all forlorn. Self-Denial is a daily, moment by moment awareness that God is in control. It's a hearing of that still small voice of the Holy Spirit guiding me. It's the denying of any momentary pleasures to allow God to mold and shape me into who He wants me to be. It's being available, obedient and aware of Him at ALL times.
Today, I take the Dare to live out God's plan for my life, no matter where He leads. I choose to let go and let God be in control.
GOD IS MY PILOT!
I really like this blog....It really made some good points to me...Thanx, Daniel B.
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