24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24 CSB)

We, humans, are not good at denying ourselves.

Nor do we actively want to take up a cross.

No, we prefer things to be easy and that we get what we want. Life is about us.

But life is but a vapor, a passing wind. We are here and then we are gone. So, wouldn’t it be better to live for something more than ourselves? Wouldn’t it be better to strive for both what eternity holds and a legacy of significance?

To do both we must deny ourselves and take up our cross. This does not mean what it meant back when the scriptures were written. However, it does mean that we are living for something more. Investing in others lives more. Working for God’s plan in our lives more.

To deny ourselves a bit more.