Luke 9:23-24

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, 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.

These words from Jesus are a call to radical discipleship. They challenge us to lay down our own desires and ambitions, and to follow Him wholeheartedly. They remind us that following Jesus is not a comfortable or easy path, but it is one that leads to true life and fulfillment.

As Christians, it can be tempting to seek comfort and security in this world. We may be tempted to pursue success, wealth, and popularity, rather than following Jesus and living for His kingdom. But Jesus tells us that if we try to save our lives in this way, we will ultimately lose them.

Instead, He calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. This means putting aside our own desires and submitting to God's will for our lives. It means embracing the difficulties and challenges that come with following Jesus, and trusting that He will guide us every step of the way.

As we embrace this radical call to discipleship, we will find that our lives are transformed. We will discover a deeper sense of purpose and meaning, and we will experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from following Jesus. As Jesus Himself says in John 10:10, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

May we never forget the words of Luke 9:23-24. May we deny ourselves and take up our cross daily, following Jesus wholeheartedly and trusting in His plan for our lives. And may we experience the abundant life that He promises to all who follow Him.