APR 22-26 | The Exchange

Mark 8:34-35: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it."

The paradox of the Gospel—the paradox that in losing our lives for the sake of Christ, we find true life.

What are we holding onto that prevents us from fully embracing the Gospel? Is it our pride, our comfort, or our possessions? Whatever it may be, the gospel challenges us to put it down at the feet of Jesus and receive His invitation with open hearts.

We have to keep in mind that we do not walk alone. The Holy Spirit, our guide and comforter, accompanies us every step of the way, empowering us to live lives that honor God and reflect His love to the world.

We have to embrace the exchange—the exchange of our current way of living for the liberating truth of the Gospel. And may our lives be a testament to the transformative power of Christ's love.

A few things to ask ourselves:

• How do we successfully deny ourselves?

• What does taking up our cross mean?

• What’s keeping us from successfully exchanging our way of living to Christ’s way of living?