Several people have asked me to go into more detail about what I mean by "dying to live." I chose this title because for many years....I was dying to just be able to enjoy my life and truly live life. I longed to have the abundant life that Jesus talked about in his word......The abundant life! Instead of really enjoying my life...I was full of fear, worry, anxiety, torment, hurt, pain and many other feelings. What I finally realized is that to truly have the life that Christ has promised we must die. First, we have to die to our own way and choose to follow him. Just as Jesus died for us...we must die to ourselves in order to follow him. This truly is a daily thing. Each day we can choose to die to our will and say "not my will but thine."
Death is never easy or fun. It is painful! Giving up my desires, my wants, my ambitions and putting those to death. So, I can truly be free to live for him. Once we have decided to die to ourselves and follow Jesus...we quickly realize that there are many other things that have to die: Selfishness, Unforgiveness, Anger, Hurt, Fears, Sin, Gossip, Wickedness, Drunkedness, and the list goes on. What I have found..... is that as we surrender our will and die to these things....we truly experience peace and freedom.
I am still in process and it is a daily choice of picking up my cross and following him.
So although the title is "Dying to Live" this really is all about living. Living for him and living in victory over things that are holding you back from the life that God intended you to live.
My friend that is a Bible teacher told me that one day in class she had a casket up front with a mirror in it. She had each student go upfront and look in the casket. She wanted them to understand that in order to truly follow Christ...you must die. This was a great example of a what we are saying when we say that we are a Christian. When you decide to follow Jesus...it is no longer you that lives...but him living in you! There is not room for the two of you.
Jim Elliott said it very well...."He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
With Love,
Melissa
About Me
- Melissa
- I long to help others die to the things that are hurting them and live to be all that God has called them to be. It's more about living than dying but through circumstances in my life I have learned that to truly live....we must die. I am still in process and learning to choose to think on the right things, do the right things and even eat the right things. I hope to write a book someday about my life but this is my beginning of trying to share with others. I have spent over 6 years researching health and wellness and more than 15 years exploring the effects of how to have a free and peaceful life. I am passionate about Jesus, my family, health, wellness, working out and healthy eating.
1 comment:
I love the title of your blog. It sums up the whole Christian life quite well. Daily we are asked to die to our own thoughts and desires and submit to the process of sanctification. It usually isn't pretty or easy...but it will have eternal rewards! Your life is an encouragement to me. Thanks for sharing. Hugs...Kristen
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