Never ending death, at least here on earth

When the scripture says to take up your cross daily it isn't kidding. Unfortunately, too many days come and go when I fail to contemplate His will versus my own. But in His infinite faithfulness and mercy, He brings me face to face with a clear choice, and I realize once again that my flesh is alive and willful.

In all actuality, it is always willful.

Woven through our days are choices to be made, and if we are wise, we make them with Him in mind. Sometimes bowing our hearts and wills is not overly difficult. As we practice sacrifice, it becomes a bit more of a lifestyle. Choosing His way becomes clearer and simpler.

But then He reaches in, asking for a bit more of our allegiance. Ouch! We thought that our heart was completely His -- now we see that isn't true. The call to surrender has once again sounded. A bit more is brought into submission. Death comes to that secret desire, dream, or design.

Any Christian who has walked this path of sacrifice will tell you that out of such death comes life. Abundant life. Fire-filled life.

So for now, I will lay it all down once again. I will sacrifice my will so that His much more perfect will might reign in me.

I don't know about eternal death or punishment. I will leave that for others to determine (at least for now) but I do know that as long as my will is intact, I will need to embrace death. Daily.

For therein is life.