The life of following Jesus is a death sentence. Alarming? Perhaps, but there is glory in this particular death. It’s a death meaning less of me and more of God. There is magnificence in allowing your broken shell of a person reflect the glory of the Savior around you. He is near to you in your death. He preceded you in that death. He gave Himself for you to have life. He asks us the same.
Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, was the man—filled with the Spirit—that broke 460 years of God’s silence. He was calling for repentance, and hearts to turn back to God. His posture was one of humility. “He must increase, but I must decrease.”” John 3:30 ESV
And so is my calling today. We have been walking in darkness, my friends. The world around us beckons for reconciliation, healing, mending and justice. And we can take the same mantle of our brother, John, who pointed at every turn to Jesus. I must die, so that what comes to life in me is Him. The entirety of my life is to beckon those around me to see Jesus... don’t miss Jesus... trust Jesus... hope in Jesus. And my voice joins John’s in saying:
“‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming {again}!
Clear the road for him!
The valleys will be filled,
and the mountains and hills made level.
The curves will be straightened,
and the rough places made smooth.
And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.’”” Luke 3:4-6 NLT
Precious Father, may I glory in the death of my selfish, self-serving, fearful, arrogant, bitter nature, and allow for the birth of Your nature in me—one of patience, grace, creativity, peace, mercy, love, endurance and humility. May I put to death my preferences for the sake of my brothers and sisters.’ May you kill my desire for comfort in order to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel. May You kill within me the desire to control and manipulate, leaving behind a beautiful heart of trust in You. You must increase. I must decrease.
Lord, I believe.
Help my unbelief.
Comments