Matthew 16:24-26, Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

With soft milky eyes, she looked at me and paused to ponder her thoughts. Eyes now locked on mine, she opened her heart and shared, “Just yesterday He told me that He needs everything and all of me. Not parts of me.”

She was a woman of greater years than I, and a woman who has weathered a few seasons herself. The one she speaks of is her Lord and Saviour, the one whom her heart loves.

And He is asking her for more. More of her heart, more of her soul, more of her life. He greatly desires to give her His spirit just that much more.

When we pursue a deeper relationship with Christ, it requires a great deal more than we initially may believe. And when it costs us more than we bargained for, we can’t claim false advertising and debate that “our all” wasn’t in the handbook.

Because it’s there. All of it.

When we choose to radically live our lives for Christ and His cause, it will require more of us than we feel we have in us to give. It will require sacrifice and vulnerability and an emotional breaking. So many desire to do great things for the kingdom of God, but when push comes to shove, are we willing to shove our own ideals and pride aside so that Christ may reign? Are we willing to give up emotional comfort in order for others to not only know Christ, but have a greater insight into His character? The very character He greatly desires to grow within us?

Are we willing to live in an emotional wilderness, having others look upon us as odd, zealous, or even wrong, just so that the cross may be glorified?

He walked upon the sea, not me. He died so that I may be free.

When we submit ourselves unto the Word of God, the Word of God begins to seep itself into the deepest crevices of our being. The Word of God slowly becomes our lifeline, our only means of escape from the disappointments and pain from this thing we call humanity.

Sure, it’s easier to live inside the glass box, but the only air we breathe within the box is the air of us. And the air of us is intoxicating. So much so that it slowly begins to poison us from the inside out. Christ desires to break the glass box and set us free from ourselves.

A beautiful picture, a most difficult journey. Are you willing to walk it? Step by step, hand in hand, He is willing to walk it with us. When push comes to shove, and shove has us pinned down, only Jesus can lift us up to higher ground.

Father, may the words of our mouth and the things in our heart be pleasing to you. And may we not worry if its pleasing to anyone else. Amen.

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