Saving our Lives

 "Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me and for the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:35)

    When I read this verse several things come to mind. The most prominent one is the idea of self-protection. It is a human drive to protect ourselves, our safety, and our lives at all costs. This is not wrong and of course it makes complete sense why we would want to protect these things. No one wants to be vulnerable, unsafe, and in peril. The problem arises when we have a distorted idea of what constitutes true protection. We may think true protection is avoiding an uncomfortable conversation. But instead of protecting or saving ourselves, we are actually losing out, because relationships suffer when we avoid authentic communication.  

Surrendering what we believe is self-protection or saving our lives is a matter of trust. Can we trust Jesus enough to redeem our life if we decide to surrender it to Him? Isn't His grand work of saving our lives at Calvary evidence enough of the power He has to save our lives in little matters as well?

 "Whoever loses their life for Me and for the gospel will save it." 

In the bigger picture, Jesus saves our lives if we surrender it to Him and share the gospel even if it costs us our earthly lives. This is a huge matter of trust. It is not unprecedented. Many reformers lost their lives as they chose to follow God instead of man. They sought to make known to all, that salvation in Christ is a gift for all and not for the elite alone. He is available to all. 

As I think of this verse, I hope to daily grow in grace. Surrendering to Him the fears I have in following what is the right path. There is not fear when Jesus is on my side. As I face each new day, I am to trust in Him and know that my life is in His hands. I am thankful for these truths. For all of these things, I am grateful.