June 26th - Reflection

Luke 9:21-27 (NRSV)
Following Jesus

He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."

Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."

Reflection
Deny yourself and follow Jesus. We all tend to reach a point in life when we find that we must deny ourselves. We reach a situation when we find out that we cannot solve a problem or change a situation through our own effort or power. Some people break down at this point and others open up knowing that help is needed.

Times humble us and we know that we need others to help. But even in some of those cases where others attempt to help it all breaks down also. So we reach again. It reminds me of the time Jacob wrestled with the angel. We wrestle with messengers of God and then finally break down and begin to understand that this is about God's plan and we need God in our life. It's not about us, or you, or me, it's about God.

We are here for God. God is not here for us. But in some strange way, God comes to us. God comes to us as a Father, Friend, Savior, Brother or Sister and walks this life with us. Showing that we depend on God for salvation. Showing that the anxiety we create in and for ourselves is our own anxiety. God takes care of us in ways that we can't even imagine so that we can reach out in love to those God gives to us in our lives to care for.

So, it's time to deny yourself, take up the cross, and follow Christ in the plan God has called you to act upon.

Prayer
Lord, wrestle with me until I understand it and deny myself and follow you. --- Amen