Lenten devotionals from our DS's wife Robbie Craker

Day #8

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. –Matthew 16:24-25

Do you ever say to yourself, “it’s impossible to do what God requires of me?” I know I do, especially in the area of denying myself. I feel the Holy Spirit speaking into my heart and mind, requiring me to let go of something, and I resist. Why? Perhaps I’m focusing on my own will power and I know how weak that is. Do I forget that with God all things are possible? He will enable me to accomplish what He requires.

That would be the best case scenario – focus on my will power instead of the limitless power of God. But what if the issue is that I don’t really want to deny myself? What if I really don’t want to take up the cross? What if I really don’t want to follow Him? Of course that’s not the issue – I do want to follow Him – at least most of the time. This is when verse 25 becomes paramount. If I continue in my self-will the life of Christ within me will die and I will lose my real life only to gain my own way.

“You start by saying, ‘It is impossible that I can do what is required of me.’ But this is a temptation of despair. Despair of yourself as much as you please, but not of God. He is both loving and powerful, and He will deal with you according to the measure of your faith. If you believe all you will attain all—you will move mountains; but if you believe nothing, you will receive nothing, only it will be your own fault…Yield humbly, therefore, without trusting to yourself, mere broken reed that you are, and say, ‘To Him nothing is impossible.’ He only asks one ‘Yes,’ spoken in pure faith.” – from The Royal Way of the Cross

Father, today when you speak we will answer ‘yes’ just as Your Son said ‘yes’ to You all the way to the cross. Thank You for having the love and power to accomplish within us what we could never accomplish in our own will-power. We love you. Amen.”