An Invitation to Die

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” —Luke 9:24

Most of us are surprised when taking up our cross actually hurts. We mistakenly assume that our fleshly desires will die easily and quickly. But old habits still writhe as they take their last breaths.

Since my relationship with my husband before marriage had been like a dream, I assumed being married would be nothing less. A trip two weeks after getting married ushered me into the most confusing year of my life.

The crucifying of my flesh in those initial moments was messy, raw, and confusing. I was convinced that what God sought to destroy was a good thing. But the flesh cannot please God nor bring about anything good. It took a few years, but I was eventually able to communicate with some accuracy the good work God had been doing in my life.

The invitation to die is truly an invitation to newness of life, to union with Christ, and to ultimate freedom from sin. For the one who has died has been set free from sin!