Lost and Finding Joy

More and more people seem to be on edge lately, ready for a fight. I think we’re just trying to protect ourselves. We can get pretty creative how we do it — sometimes hiding it from ourselves. Nobody is going to do it for us, so we try to save ourselves.

We might be fighters. We might be victims. We might be both. We might be on a pedestal, telling others how they should “lose themselves to find themselves”. . .What does that mean anyways?

We usually go about it the wrong way when we try to find ourselves. We listen to the physical side of ourselves. We help others for the wrong reasons — to make ourselves feel better or for recognition; we give into the cravings of the flesh; we get complacent and ignore our Savior, Jesus Christ. When we do these things, we cut ourselves off from our true identity.

He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10:39 KJV)

When I am self-aware, I realize I am not always helping others with a meek spirit and a humble heart. If I’m honest with myself, I realize I am doing it for the metaphorical checkmark, reminding myself that I’m a good person. Losing ourselves would probably mean helping others without patting ourselves on the back for what we’ve done. It would mean doing things out of love– not obligation or what’s expected of us.

There’s more. . .

…”Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” (Mark 8:34-35 KJV)

Our nature is to put our physical needs first. To find our true selves, we must overcome the temptations of the flesh, and be willing to be uncomfortable for awhile– taking up our crosses.

Taking up your cross could also mean, not denying Christ. Standing for truth can be difficult. We may be afraid of offending someone, or being judged, censored or cancelled. When we let go of the worries and complications of our physical selves, we find our true selves.

We come from pure, unconditional love. We seek after Christ, by being mindful of Him and His love for us. He will fight our battles. We just need to be still and know. We, too, are pure, unconditional love. When we connect more with that part of us, and less with the physical side — we are free; we are at peace; and we are saved.