Deny Yourself

What does it mean to you to give up everything to be a follower of Christ? Would you? Give up absolutely everything you've ever known, to follow our one true king? What about the little things people don't think about when they are doing a spiritual spring cleaning? The memories of a hurtful past. A reputation. A way of living.

These past couple weeks one of my small groups has been working through the Radical study by David Platt. He really got my attention the first week when he explained that we have to deny ourselves completely to make room for Christ in our life. I loved that and prayed that God would fill me as I deny myself for Him. But this week alone, I've seen a whole new way of looking at denying myself. Its hard to truly deny yourself for Christ when you get down to it. Looking at yourself in a deeper more vulnerable way and deciding if you would actually give that part up in order to follow Christ.

You might be someone who has to change their view on living. Maybe you're someone who was abused as a child. Whether it be physical, verbal, or emotional. Maybe you've grown so accustomed to building up a wall around yourself that you don't even notice when you're shutting others out. Or worse you've started hurting the ones who love you most because someone else hurt you. Maybe you're the first Christian in your family, and its hard for you to wrap your mind around the life Jesus wants for you because all you've ever known was heartache and pain. Jesus wants to give you life, happiness, love. He wants you to experience everything He has to offer. But you might need to let go of your past to follow Him. You have to "deny yourself". Let go of the "this is all I've ever known" mentality to embrace a new way to look at life. A brighter way of life, God's way.

Maybe you're someone who grew up in a Christ-filled home. You went to church and Sunday School every week, maybe even the midweek services/programs. You read the Bible at home, your parents taught you how to look up passages if you weren't sure. And now that you're older, you might see a friend, spouse or loved one struggling and you want to show them in the Bible where it can guide them through the struggles or "throw the book at them". But you know that would be rude, because only God can reveal that to them. He might be able to use you to show them, but only in His timing. You have to "deny yourself". Let go of that "know it all" "I can help" thought process and just let God do the hard work. Focus on how you can grow closer to God, and He'll ease the stress on both ends.

Denying yourself can lead you down some very vulnerable roads. You might have to admit that you've been putting up a wall to shut others out, or you might have to let go of the controls and let God take the lead. Nobody likes to admit when they've been wrong. Its not fun.

I encourage you today, to look at your life to find a way to "deny yourself" as a way to follow Christ. Even when the pain seems unbearable. Having a support system at home is a great feeling, but letting Christ be the center of your life and letting Him take away your pain and struggles is a greater feeling.