You like to do things that interest you. In fact, the culture in which we live screams at you to pursue your passions. No matter what passion you have, those around you promote you to follow your dreams. They say that if you are to be truly happy in life, you are to do whatever makes you happy.
Although this sounds very true, in practicality it does not hold water. The pursuit of any and all passions and desires does not yield happiness. There must be something better, and more fulfilling, than chasing earthly passions. Socrates said, “Know yourself.” Marcus Aurelius said, “Control yourself.” Other Orient sages said, “Give yourself.” Jesus said, “Deny yourself.” Jesus’ words run cross grain to your fleshy desires.
That quote of Jesus comes from Luke 9:23: “And He was saying to them all, ‘if anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” The cost of being a Christian is to “deny yourself.” You are to live your life according to the Scriptures, instead of doing what your passions dictate. Jesus does not tell you to do that, without explaining how to do it. To “deny yourself” is accomplished by first doing whatever brings glory to God in your life, regardless of the hardships that may follow. Next, you are to “follow” Jesus. This means living obediently to what Jesus taught.
You have a giant in you telling you to do whatever you want to do. This fleshly passion tells you that you deserve those passions to be satisfied. Jesus is telling you to kill that giant. His counsel in how to do that is by “denying yourself” and to “daily” follow Jesus. In doing this, you find total fulfillment and joy in this life. Do so today!
