The Agony of Self-Denial

One of the most radical lessons I’ve learned is the cost of following Jesus. Like, not a fan of Jesus ….but actually following Him. The level of self-denial that it takes to walk this out for real, has broken me. But breaking …me …is also the point of discipleship: to bring us to the end ourselves, to make us useable by God, so that He is glorified. 

The agony of not repaying evil with evil, forgiving people who have abandoned or betrayed me, rejecting offers that would elevate my status yet pull me away from Jesus, to remaining cordial even when I’ve been mistreated …all costs that I’ve counted up.