January 14 – Deny Self

And He (Jesus) was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

It was snowing a couple of mornings ago—so beautiful with the flakes floating down and gusts of wind driving them, whirling around. I thought about how there is no commitment as those snowflakes float through the air—but once they are on the ground, they are committed to being part of the overall snow...becoming an integral part of little drifts. Are we like those snowflakes floating about? No commitment to one another until we land in a “family” or become attached to another snowflake? 

Jesus called His disciples to deny themselves and follow Him. It still is applicable to us today. Every day we have to put ourselves, our selfish ambitions aside, and choose to follow Jesus—to do things His way…to become like Him. What selfish character trait are you willing to give up becoming more like Jesus? For me…I think that I’m a little too selfish…especially with my time. I want to do what I want to do, so I need to focus on others more…and be willing to give of my time to help perfect strangers and local charities. Jesus always had time for others…to listen to their needs, to heal and help them. I’m not gifted with “healing,” but I certainly could help others in practical ways like teaching English to immigrants or in a compassionate ministry service. How about you? What change would you like to make in your life to be more like Jesus? As we show “commitment,” we will be dedicated to forging ahead being the best that we can with what God has given us spiritually and materially as we seek to do what Jesus would do.
 

Training Tip – Spend time with the kiddos looking at snowflakes, or at grains of sand with a magnifying glass. See how each is different—but how they’ll stick together with the right conditions. In snowballs or in sand with water to make castles and sand creations, the snowflakes and grains of sand have a “commitment” to each other to make a snowman or sand castle. Eventually they fall apart—but they stick together to make the sand on the beach or the snowdrifts. They sort of have to deny themselves and become part of the whole—they are still individuals—but they are part of a bigger picture. That’s how it is in our families…and in God’s family. 

Lord – I want to be more like You so I’m committed to giving up my selfish desires and taking up my cross to follow You today.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.