"Do whatever He tells you"

Luke 9:22-25
The First Prediction of the Passion.

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.

The Conditions of Discipleship.

Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily* and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?

Reflect

I experience His invitation to abandon my preconceived notions of His plan for my life. To do that, I intentionally must let go of my ideas of what His plan is for my life and freely accept that everything that happens is willed or allowed by God in order to deepen our intimaterelationship with one another. When I am able to do this though the grace of God, I find I am able to bear my crosses with Him.

Personally, this is one of those very special Scripture verses that speaks to me very
dynamically. It sometimes challenges me as a call to grit and perseverance. At other times, it has been steeped in curiosity and an active conversation with the Lord about self-denial. Lately, it has been a call to ultimate trust and vulnerability.

Resolve

Intentionally start your day in communication with the Lord, giving Him your yes, By telling Him for one day, you will try to abandon your perspectives, desires, thoughts, and emotions and walk in trust that each of the crosses that are revealed to you during the day are a gift, given to know Him more fully and to deepen your intimacy with Him. Ask Him for the grace to help you do this.

Renew

Thank you, Father for your Word and love for us. Thank you for the invitation to take up our cross and follow your Son. Help us to better trust in you and your loving Providence in our lives; knowing that everything is ordered to deepen our intimacy and relationship with you.