Daily Power #295

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24)

We don’t have to teach people to be selfish. We are selfish by nature. When push comes to shove (as my friend John can attest), we’re looking out for number one—me, myself, and mine. Not only do we have our sinfulness working against us, but much of what we see in culture affirms our self-centered tendencies. Some argue that a massive shift in culture in 1973 changed everything. I was only six at the time, but I certainly took note, mostly because of the catchy jingle.

In a move that would rock the fast-food world, Burger King boldly declared that you had choices, options, decisions to make. If you wanted a burger, you could “have it your way!” Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce—whatever you wanted, you could have it that way.

As far as competing with McDonald’s, BK nailed it. But if you want to be closer to God and connect with others, then it’s not going to work. According to Jesus, life is not all about us. Even when everything in culture tries to tell us that it is.

We are not called to celebrate, promote, defend, or advance ourselves—but to deny ourselves. To pick up our cross, to suffer through not having everything our way, to die to our selfish tendencies.

God wants us to have it his way.

And we’re not talking burgers.

Power Lift

It’s tough to put others first, Lord, when everything around me encourages me to have it my way. Today give me the strength to take up my cross and follow you.