Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”   Matthew 16:24

OH, how I wish the words of this passage in Psalm 71 described me. As a child, I accepted as fact that Jesus died on a cross and was raised back to life. Although I thought I was a ChristianA, following Jesus was not the focus of my life. I was. My hopes, prayers, and thoughts generally revolved around me and my needs. My confidence was in myself.  Years later, I came to understand that being a Christian means submitting myself to Christ Jesus as my Lord, following him, and submitting to his plans for me. It means resting in the love and the peace he gives. It means so much more than this and so much more than I understood as a child.  Whether we grew up loving Christ Jesus and relying on him every day or rarely thinking of him, we can’t change the past. Tomorrow is not here, but we have this moment. Jesus said, “Follow me.” That we can do. Right now. This moment. 

Lord Jesus, we submit our desires, our plans, our lives to you. Help us, Lord, to follow you. Amen.