The Better Gift

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:24-25


This past week our 5 year old daughter Ella experienced another “first” in her life. Ella lost something that she’d been holding onto for over 4 years. She never went anywhere without it. She gave it special attention both in the morning and then again in the evening. No, it wasn’t her favorite blanket or even her best teddy bear. Ella lost her first tooth! It was so funny to watch her working that little tooth with her tongue, and then oh so gently working it back and forth with her finger. She swore up and down that losing that tooth would be the most painful experience ever but we assured her she’d somehow get through it. Most importantly we made her aware of the fact that in order for something stronger and more permanent to come in, something had to be given up. “My tooth” she asked. “Yes, your tooth.” I replied. She looked up and said, “Ok Daddy”. And then with some coaxing by me and the gentle hands of her mother, out it came and Ella was free of her tooth!
In our lives we too must often give up a few things in order to lay hold of others. That’s what the life of a Christian is all about. It’s us letting go of what we cannot keep so that we may possess that which cannot be taken from us. What is it we are called to give up? Jesus says simply in Matthew 16:24-25 that we must give up our life. Wow, that’s a pretty big request. Many cults have asked the same of their followers and unfortunately many innocent and misinformed lives have been lost in this manner. Is Jesus asking the same of us? Not exactly, Jesus indeed asks us to give up our lives but only to the extent that we give up our own agendas and selfish desires and instead take upon ourselves a mind and a heart like His. The Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1-2 urges us to be “living sacrifices” here on Earth. We are of great value to God here on Earth, spreading the gospel, and being the hands, feet and voice of Christ. We are here to “live” out our faith. It’s on Earth that we the church accomplish God’s greatest work, giving up the lesser to claim the better gift!
We all know that our lives are limited in just how much time is in them. We do not know how long we will be on this Earth and in that we see the reality that we cannot keep our lives. Willingly letting go of our lives results in laying hold of His for us and Jesus says in that sacrifice, true life is found (v25). We often think that “giving up” our lives means giving up everything that’s fun, fulfilling and pleasurable in our lives. God doesn’t want us living sad, empty and droll lives. He wants us to be happy but not at the expense of it costing us in the long run or harming us. He wants to eliminate anything from our lives that separate us from Him. Is that bad? No, I would say….that’s Love!
So what is it that you’re holding on to? What are you fighting to keep at the expense that it’s costing you that perfect relationship with Jesus Christ? Wiggle it, tug it, move it around and get rid of it so that you can take on something stronger more permanent that’s of God. Giving it up will only hurt for a little bit. Smile, Jesus is perfect at “filling in the gaps!” Pastor Seth <><