If it doesn't lead you to Jesus - Where is it leading you?

When we choose to identify ourselves as Christians, do we truly know the cost?

This is something that I often ponder. For myself, I gave my life to Christ 13 years ago when I figured out that the party life wasn't really working to numb my internal chaos anymore. I cried out in a moment of desperation. That typical "God, help me!" Prayer -- but it was different this time, because I was willing to give up on myself in order to find Him.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."

Matthew 16:24

God calls us to a life of sacrifice, a life set apart from the world. Do you know what it means to deny yourself? to take up your cross? Jesus' disciples would have likely cringed when Jesus said that because the image of the cross was gruesome, violent and degrading. This is a perspective we can easily dismiss because people are no longer hung up on crosses in the middle of the city left to die.

To take up your cross, is to deny your life. Christianity is not glamorous. Its sacrificial.

Humans like to think of God more as a genie. And when He doesn't show up or answer our prayers the way we think he should, we get salty. We are quick to replace Him with an idea or concept that we think will give us what we want. Just like the Israelites while they were waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain. Moses was d e l a y e d so the people made new gods for themselves. (Exodus 32)

God will not be micro-managed. Take that as an encouragement.

What in your life is currently leading you TO Jesus?

Maybe you're in a Bible study, spending time in the word, time in prayer, time interceding for others?

If you are feeling conviction around certain areas of your life that are not leading you to Jesus, I challenge you to evaluate WHERE it is leading you?

If you want to grow in your faith, and in your relationship with Christ -- you must be willing to lay down your life DAILY. It is not a one time commitment that covers you for the rest of your life. I have had to deny myself every day for the last 13 years, sometimes I resist it -- then life gets messy again. So, I have to pick up the pieces and start fresh, asking God for forgiveness and direction.

Christianity isn't a label, it's a life style. We can easily become distracted by the customs of this world and seek to fill our time with an "instant Jesus." Don't settle for anything less than the REAL THING. He knew you were worth the sacrifice -- do you know that He is worth it too?

Re-evaluate what you want out of your relationship with Christ.

Repent where you need to, and ask God to direct your steps.

You got this.