"He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it." (Matthew 10:39)

From chapter 5 of the gospel of Matthew up through chapter 10, Jesus has been clearly teaching His disciples about the cost of following Him and the reward, also. Everything, everything that one lays down, puts aside or loses for the love of God is not truly lost but entrusted to Him who will keep it. What a disciple loses here on earth does not compare to what shall be gained in heaven! That's what God's word says. Jesus was asking His disciples if they loved God enough to die to all they possessed, to all relationships, even their very lives. The question has not changed! Are you and I willing to suffer the loss of all for the sake of Christ Jesus? You and I do have a choice.

"Others may, you may not." This was a quote from a booklet I read several years ago. It indicated that when one chooses to follow Christ, life completely changes. What I had done before, the deeds of the flesh and the love of the world, I no longer could do. The love of God constrained me. As a young believer, I brashly thought, "I can do that! I love Jesus!" But I am older now and I find that my love for God was not as deep and whole-hearted as I first believed--nor was my faith. For both were untested, unrefined.

I have now known the Lord for over 28 years and, as I look back, I see Him with me always, even before I put my trust in Him. His words to me continually, through the trials and triumphs of daily living, have been, "Trust Me." I have found His faithfulness unwavering, though mine has faltered and revived, faltered and revived. Today, with aging and some failing health issues, I must choose again--will I follow Christ? Will I trust in Him through it all? I say, "Yes! I will trust You, Lord, for today as if today was all I had. Think about it.