Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Discipleship, like salvation, begins with a decision. It is not possible for you to walk two paths at once, and it is not possible for both you and Christ to lead. Discipleship begins with a denying of self. What you dream, what you want, what you prefer no longer matters. The Lord becomes your dream-giver, he tells you what desires you should seek, and he provides the path that he has prepared for you. Unfortunately, it is not a one-time decision. It is easy, when passion is high, to make a commitment, but much harder when the hard times come to remember why it was you made the commitment in the first place. Following Jesus isn’t easy because the world will be a constant obstacle. It will involve pain and sacrifice (much like carrying a cross) and it will require a daily recommitment to walk away from your old life. Why? Because you old life will constantly be trying to lure you back. It is comfortable, it is familiar, and it is the way that everyone else seems to be going. But in discipleship there can only be one Master. Jesus can’t rule some and you rule some. It must be Him.

Pray: “My precious Savior, only you know how truly difficult following you is. The daily commitment, the dying to self, and the trials along the way. Still, I would rather be traveling your way, sure of who I follow and where I’m headed, then to take a chance that I could somehow find my way without you. Today, Lord Jesus, I choose you. Tomorrow, I will choose you. Help me to crucify my old ways and keep my eyes forever focused on you. I trust you with my today and all my tomorrows. Thank you, Lord, for inviting me to follow – Amen