And Jesus said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” –Luke 9:23-24
I have a friend who has been walking the difficult road of supporting her husband who is experiencing serious health issues over the past year. His heart is no longer working properly on its own. It has come to the point where doctors have recommended installing a pacemaker in order to restore the function of his heart and, in turn, restore his quality of life.
Unfortunately, after having the doctors explain the procedure to him, he has not agreed to go through with it. Something about going through the insertion process, and living under the control of a pacemaker, has stopped him from taking action. And so he continues to live his daily life under the restrictions of a heart condition – weakness, fatigue, and more.
I see a parallel between his heart condition and the spiritual condition many of us find ourselves in. Is there something in your life that is not working? Could it be something you desire, or something you are spending your time pursuing, that is causing disorder? Do you have a certain plan for your life, but it just seems like the more you try to make it happen, doors get shut in your face?
Could it be that God is asking you to lay down your own desires and priorities in order to submit to His perfect pacemaking?
We are commanded in Scripture to “keep in step with the Spirit.” When we keep in step with the Spirit, He may have a different plan for our lives than we would have chosen. But if you and I can be courageous enough to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus, this is the place where true life begins!
Are you willing to lay down your plans and timing for your life? Your desire for a husband, your desire for children, your desire to advance your career, your desire for status, your desire for admiration, your desire for perfect health, your desire to be beautiful, your desire for money, your desire for worldly security, anything you desire that has not been submitted with open hands to God.
Until we are willing to kill our own disordered pace and plans, we will continue to experience anxiety and strife. When we submit to the perfect pacing of the Spirit, we will save our lives. All of the blessings of a life in step with the Lifegiver will be available to us!
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:28-31
