Worthy of Whole Surrender

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses of forfeits himself?"

- Luke 9:23-25

For some reason, this passage only recently hit me even after reading through it many times before. Christ is calling his followers to a very high level of commitment. We are to deny ourselves, I am to deny myself, my hopes, my dreams, my desires, and take up my cross daily and follow him. That is no small request. But what value or profit is there in having gained the whole world while losing myself in the process?

None.

But really? the WHOLE WORLD?

For some reason, what Christ is saying in Luke 9 has always tended to bum me out. In reading through it recently, it only got me excited. On some level, it's scary but on a much deeper level, exhilarating.

I have this deep desire to pioneer something BIG. I want to ride BIG waves and believe in the BIGness of God. I want to be a man of powerful faith, trusting Him with the impossible... but I'm wrestling with a lot of anxiety. I am burdened by the uncertainty of my future, my career, my ministry, where I will be, and the pride of my family in all of that. Everyday, I have to choose to trust in the promise that the God of the universe will work out all things for the good of those who love him. My prayer is that my fear and lack of trust would not cause me to dream safe and reject some of the things laid on my heart but big as I trust in a faithful, loving, and powerful God.

In surrendering my hopes and dreams, I get to live out a much bigger dream, prepared by Him, unimaginable by man. What are your hopes? dreams?... fears?

We are called to first love Him above all, follow Him, seek first His kingdom, and believe in His incredible promises for us. He is worthy of whole surrender.