As I sit here in Greece, I know that I still haven’t made changes in my life in the way that I am anticipating.
I still have moments of fit and anger.
I still have “slight” authoritative issues.
I still cling on to the selfish drive that got me where I am today.
With all of this said, is there something that could change all this?
I am proposing yes.
The hardest part to come to terms with is this: why does it feel like it’s all on me to effect this change?
It starts with the question, “Why did Jesus die for us?”
He had to die for us because we are incapable of living a sinless life. He needed to acquit us for our past, present and future transgressions – because we were incapable of doing it for ourselves. He had to come to our level – because we, as sinful humans, were never going to be able to make the change. And even if we were capable – we never would have wanted to (due to our sin nature). What I always understood this to mean was that He literally died and took all of our sins upon Him because we would always sin.
Jesus died for us knowing that we would never change.
Humans would never ever change.
But He came down to our level anyways. Because He wanted us to know how much He loves us. And how far He’s willing to go to meet us right where we’re at.
If Jesus died because humans would never change, why would I think that the humans around me would change to my thinking and thoughts?
They wouldn’t, and they won’t!
Just as Jesus died to his earthly self to effect real change, I must do the exact same thing.
Therefore I know now what I must do everyday. I must die to myself just as Jesus did.
Yes I know that this statement of dying to myself isn’t something new.
It is just something that I now have come to understand.
Change is also a long and arduous road, but I now know why this change is necessary.
This change is necessary because Jesus had to do it and He is the only way to life.
Jesus said that we must suffer just as He did.
Maybe this suffering isn’t physically dying or even going through the hardships He endured.
Maybe the suffering was just knowing that we must change for the people to be able to too, and then changing.
I know I have a long road ahead.
I also know the things in my life that will benefit from this change.
And — thank the Lord! — now I know why this road is necessary.
