Day 32 - Dear God, I'm Yours! (Luke 14:25-35)

Today's reading is Luke 14:25-35.

If you're going to do anything worthwhile in life, you're going to have to make sacrifices.

If you're going to live for God, you're going to stop living to please anyone else before Him.

Jesus made some bold statements, challenging people to declare God the most important person in their lives. That's what it means to be His follower. As Leader and Creator of everything there is... doesn't He deserve top billing in my little life?

These verses find Jesus challenging us to "carry a cross" and even to "hate" family members and ourselves. Shock value? You bet. In comparison with our loyalties and surrender to God's leadership and direction, any other person in the world - their opinions, their feelings, their demands on us - they pale in comparison to Him.

In verse 33, the challenge is to "give up everything." When reading any part of the Bible, we should look at the context... these verses all come immediately after Jesus encounters a wealthy religious leader. Religious leaders (sometimes known as "Pharisees") were known for their knowledge, pride, and elite "club."

In context, Jesus is challenging them to give all of that up. Give up the addiction to possessions or money. Give up the addiction to other people's approval. Give up addiction to your own performance or achievement. Give up the idea that you can prove your value to God and others.

Consider the cost... be willing to lay down your pride and your lesser dreams... and come follow Jesus.

Dear God,

Help me take a deep look at my life and motives. If there are things that I have placed in front of following you, then please help me see those and surrender those. Remind me that anything great is going to take some form of sacrifice - and knowing you IS the greatest thing in my life.

Remind me that YOU always bless and guide and strengthen those who will give up their lives to follow You. Help me do that today..