When we try to hang on to our lives, we are trying to control the things and people in it. We need to realize that we have no real control over anything or anyone but ourselves. We have instructions how to live the best life in the Bible. We are instructed turn away from our self, take what we have and follow Jesus. We are to give up our life and the control we want to have over it and allow God to handle everything and to work through us.
Matthew 16:24-26 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?’”
When we give it all to God and spend time talking to Him and reading His word, He will show us what He wants us to do. He will show us our purpose on earth. When we ask God to reveal that purpose to us, we need to be ready to take action. His purpose for us is greater than any other thing in the world. Our purpose is so important to Him that He gave His son for us so we can have a meaningful life.
John 10:9-10 “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
The only way to an abundant life is through Jesus who is Christ our Lord. It is ridiculous to look for joy or happiness or self-meaning or purpose or anything without having Him in our lives. Today is the day for us to focus on God, to read His word, to talk with Him. He has our answers. He has our purpose. He is ready to share all He has planned for us if we will only give up what we are holding on to and give it all to Him.
To make a difference, we must give up our old way of life and die to self so we can live for God. We must be willing to give up things when God tells us to so can live for Him. It’s time we decide to die to self, to give up what we are holding on to and to give everything to God. Our purpose is to do God’s will and His purpose is to give us a rich, satisfying and abundant life.
We now need to identify what we are holding on to an ask God to remove it from our lives. We need to ask for forgiveness for holding it higher than God. We need to trust in Him to handle things for us and make great things happen through us. We need to ask Him to take away our worries and sorrows and renew us by filling us with His Holy Spirit to guide us. When we let go of self, then we can hang on to Him. He will reveal to us what we need to do to be on purpose for Him and we need take action on what He tells us to do.
Frances Lucas has lived in Birmingham, Alabama for over 40 years. She is a working mother with three children and has progressively improved her life through mistakes, persistence and a sense of humor. Her passion in life surfaced after a major setback in life which proves good things can come from bad experiences. Frances coaches in career and personal improvement, facilitates self-improvement classes and writes articles.
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