I AM Serious

Reflection:

Has God ever asked you to do something that was difficult?  How did you respond?  Did you find yourself asking God: "Are you serious?"  If yes, I'm just curious:  What was God's answer?  Let me guess.  God said:  "Yes. I AM serious!"

This is because God is always serious when asking us to push beyond our fears and take on things that require selfless acts and sacrifice.  But when doing so, God also promises to be with us and help us through.  That promise is at the heart of God's covenant with God's people throughout history - right down to me and you.

This week, as we consider God's promises to Abraham and Jesus's call to us all to follow Him, ask:  What difficult things has God very seriously asked you to do?  How is God helping you to get through?  As you do - pray and very seriously say to God:  I will pick up this cross and follow you!

Questions for Reflection:

Jesus asks his disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him.  How do you practice self-denial for the sake of the gospel?  Is every instance of self-denial an act of obedience to Jesus?  Can some forms of self-denial foster oppression?