Scripture: Luke 9:21-24
Journal: How are these verses taking shape in your life these days? How do you think Jesus wants them to take
shape in your life? What does that look
like?
Reflection:
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross
daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)
There is a must in the life
of faith that is not fraught with guilt, not stuffed with ought and should.
Instead, it is born out of affection and delight. It is get to
rather than have to. It is pull rather than push.
It is not begrudging and coercive and forced, but a genuine expression of a
heart that has been captured by love, the fruit of intimate union. Thus,
it cannot be quashed, contained, or subdued, but flows from our inner being
like a river toward the sea. It propels us into life with energy and
vitality that mere duty cannot provide. It does not beat us down or wear
us out, but, by its very nature, reorders, renews, and transforms.
Somehow we must learn how to
move from one must to the other. The state of our lives, and our
ministries, depend on it. For our must will incarnate itself in
one form or another. It can take the shape of joy and peace and
gratitude, or it can take the form of gloom and sadness and despair.
Which do you think Jesus would prefer?
O Lord Jesus, help us live
our lives like you did, by the must of love.
Prayer
Closing
Prayer: O Lord Jesus, help us live our lives like you
did, by the must of love.
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