It's interesting how things work out sometimes. Like this year, when I sat down to write this Christmas letter I just happened to be in the Gospels as part of my daily reading. The Book of Luke in particular. Strange . . .
In addition to the Christmas story found in Luke 2, I heard several verses that stood out in subsequent chapters. Like this one for example:
"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, pick up their cross daily, and follow me." - Luke 9:23
First off, the word "whoever" tells us that anyone can be a disciple of Jesus. The invitation is an open one. But being a disciple comes at a cost. We have to “deny ourselves.” In other words, we must deny everything that is of this world and of a selfish nature. We are then to follow Jesus and Him alone.
Second is the phrase "our cross." What does that mean? We can almost picture it, us lugging a wooden cross up a hill. But that's not what Jesus meant. Our cross is not an illness, an infirmity, or work. It's our 'self' and our ‘sin’ that we must give up.
Do you remember that old hymn, "I Surrender All?" That's our cross, in a nutshell. How much of our lives do we surrender to Jesus? All? Everything?
Everything about us is what Jesus wants. And He wants it daily!
What does the look like? When we get up, do we devote the day to Jesus before getting out of bed? Do we honor Him at work or at school? Do we honor Him in our relationships? Every day?
We should give thanks to Him for His mercy, grace, forgiveness, and provision. He gives those things to US. Daily.
This Christmas, let us honor Him with thanks and praise. Let us seek Him in our daily prayers, and surrender every aspect of our daily lives to Him.
Then . . . we can be His disciples. Then . . . we can truly have a most-joyous Christmas.
I Surrender All - Journey Worship Co.
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