Lenten Devotional - Tuesday, Mar. 9

Day 18 - Tuesday 

March 9

23 Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. 25 What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?"  Luke 9:23-25

The path of faith in Jesus is the path of discipleship, and discipleship is not easy. But discipleship has often been misunderstood, especially as it is described in this passage. A first reading might imply that we must deny everything that we might want or need and die to ourselves in order to follow Jesus. But if we negate everything about ourselves, we are not bringing much of a gift to Jesus. God does not want us to be people with no desires; rather, God wants us to grow and develop life-giving desires and put to death the sinful aspects of ourselves that are leading us away from God and towards death. 

Lent is an excellent time to reflect on our lives and identify some areas of our lives that need to be put to death so that we can more fully receive the new life that Jesus offers us.

To Do

Consider one thing in your life - a bad habit or pattern of thought or unhealthy behavior - that you can release to God during Lent. Take a fast from this thing. Ask God for strength to take up this cross and die to this desire.