Pastor Glenn’s Weblog

Whom do I really trust?  When rights, freedoms and authority are taken away, and when people face their biggest challenges, whether they be health issues, money problems, job losses, relationships, or mental struggles, they often reassert their independence more fiercely.  Those moments probably reveal whom one really trusts.  If I assert my independence on those occasions, I am making a statement that my ultimate trust in is me; but I f I turn to God and deny my rights, then I am making a statement that my ultimate trust in is God.  Jesus’ prescription for discipleship is this, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23.  The emphasis of this prescription must be on the denial of self and the taking of one’s cross; otherwise, we would have this redundant thought, “whoever wants to follow me must follow me.”  Imagine that, if one is really a follower of Jesus, he will deny himself.  Rather than assert his independence more fiercely, he will deny self even to the point of taking up an instrument of death to self.  I can’t say that I’m really there yet.  May God give me the strength to deny myself and trust in him.  Whenever my world seems to fall apart, or whenever my rights and freedoms are taken away, may I trust in God’s love and faithfulness rather than my own perceived independence.