Jesus. All About Life.Uzorak

Reflection

It’s natural to want to preserve your life. There’s something in all of us that fights for life. When we see people struggling in the surf, the instinct is to rescue them. We rush to save them. This desire for life is from the heart of God.

The desire for real inner life, spiritual life, and eternal life is also straight from God’s heart. Just as we see someone drowning in the surf and rush to rescue them, He sees us, drowning, wounded souls dying and desperately trying to save ourselves.

He rushes to our aid and gives His life so we may find life. Just as we may say to a drowning person, “Relax, and I’ll do it. Let me take the lead,” so Jesus is saying, “Let me take the lead. Accept the fact you are unable to rescue yourself from spiritual death. Accept that you don’t have the authority to rescue yourself or the means to do it. Deny yourself and follow me, and you will find the life you long for.” The key to this is found in these three words: “For My sake.” He lived and died for your sake. You die and live for His sake. That’s the key to abundant life.

Prayer:

Lord, forgive me for following my own way and foolishly thinking I could find life apart from you. Give me courage and strength to take up my cross and follow you so I may find life and bring you glory. In Jesus’ name.

About the writer

Sue Irwin is the senior pastor of the Grainery Church, Newcastle. She is married to Graeme and has four children, one daughter-in-law and two cute grandsons. She is the author of “The Gift of Prayer: Teaching Children to Pray.”