What is our death but a night’s sleep? For as through sleep all weariness and faintness pass away and cease, and the powers of the spirit come back again, so that in the morning we arise fresh and strong and joyous; so at the Last Day we shall rise again as if we had only slept a night, and shall be fresh and strong. (Martin Luther)
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24 NKJV)
I think, more than anything, this idea of a daily death to self and a rising each morning to bear Christ cross is an imperative in our walk. The basic problem is that few truly want to take up that cross each day. The idea of giving up one’s selfish desires, surrendering to God’s will and submitting to following Jesus Christ daily seems daunting. To “die to self” each day and open ourselves to what God desires goes against everything the world tells us to do. Human nature, and truly a worldly view, says that we are to live as we want, do as we want, and deny anything that is contrary to that nature.
But when we wake up each morning, read our scripture and pray that God gives us strength to die to self that life actually opens up. No longer are we burdened by everything pressed upon us. As we go about our day we give everything to Christ, even our most mundane task and life just feels brighter, easier and more meaningful.
Reflect on: How you die daily to self and open up your life to all that Christ has in store.
