What Do I Live For?

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it. What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?" Matthew 16:24-26

This seems a heavy scripture at time when men and women live to enjoy life. So often people would say to me, 'You will find someone to share you're life with, after all you deserve to be happy.'

This is said by well meaning individuals who believe I am better re-married and yes it is good to share your life with someone but it is not the ultimate ideal that these dear people propose. The same can be said for the belief, 'you deserve to do well, you're going to make it.' Again the idea that an abundance of goods is happiness.

If I measure myself by these yardsticks I must be truly miserable, at times, yet what does Jesus say? "If you lose your life for my sake will find it.' Is He talking about being nailed to a cross? Not necessarily, more importantly is giving up the ideas of what will  satisfy. There is more than seeking self satisfaction, yet as I seek Him I am satisfied and all these things comes as a result.

While seeking Him I do have goals but they are subject to Him and His timing. I spoke to a woman last night who I have seen around church who said to me 'God does not seem to hear my prayers.' If I measure the Lord by His ability to 'answer my prayers' then I will throw Him off when He does not perform. Is that what Christianity is about? 'I will come to You as long as You perform!' In the above scriptures Jesus seems to be at odds with this notion.

Being a Christian is more than living for fun yet as I live for Him I experience fun. I am about to go on a bike ride with 5,000 others than will last for 9 days and cover 590km, with my sister. Last month I was in Tasmania. Next month I will be in Brisbane with family. I see down the road and where I am going is good but I don't look at that, I look at Him because He brings all things together, in His time. Amen!