What do you hold dear? Maybe it’s your family, your home, your career, or your goals and dreams of what the future holds. Now, think about all of those good things, and hear the words of Jesus: “If you truly want to follow me, you should at once completely disown your own life.” That command has challenged me at times. You mean to tell me that I’ve spent all this time meticulously mapping out the details of my life, and I’m just supposed to give it all up? 

The reality is, our short-sighted vision for the future doesn’t hold a candle to what our omniscient God has carefully planned for us. Jesus continues, “you must be willing to share my cross and experience it as your own, as you continually surrender to my ways. For if you let your life go for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, you will continually experience true life.” The challenge is met with a promise: full, authentic life that lies just on the other side of surrender.

What are you holding onto that’s holding you back? The future is filled with unknowns. It can be scary, no doubt. But Jesus is gently calling you out upon the water, into a new chapter of your story (His story). 

So don’t be afraid to step out in faith. Drown out the things of this world; even the good things can be a distraction. Put to death your notions of the good old days; the Gospel calls us to press on boldly and with perseverance. Surrender your plans, and instead, cling to the promises of Jesus! He goes before you, He walks beside you, and He will be with you always – to the very end of the age.