Today we again feature excerpts from the 1993 book, Thirty Days at the Foot of the Cross.
These thoughts are by Javier Amaya who lived in Boston at the time and now has
returned to serve the church there again.
"Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our
brothers" (1 John 3:16).
And
Jesus said, "That's enough!. . .Have him do it not me!. . .That's not my
responsibility!. . .I'm tired; let somebody else do it. . .I'll do it later!. .
.Why me?. . .You do it. . .It's too late, and I've done enough. . .That's not
my job. . .Get off my back!. . .I'll do it at my pace and when I feel like
it."
Jesus had plenty of opportunities to say such
things but he never did. Even as they
took him to a cross, he uttered no such words.
In situation after situation, the Son of God denied himself and was
faithful to his Father and his calling. And now, like our Lord and Master, we
are to lay down our lives for others.
A day of self-denial must begin with a morning of
preparation. Surely Jesus was able to
wash the feet of others at the end of a day because at the beginning of it he
was preparing his mind through communion with God. Decide early in every day that you will not
be too busy to notice others or so consumed with your things that you will not
be available to help another. As you
walk out the door of your house, pray for help in forgetting yourself and in
seeing and meeting the needs of others.
Jesus laid down his life again and again and again
until there was nothing left to give. But he never resented it or regretted it,
because the seed that falls into the ground and dies does produce much fruit.
I would even go a step further and suggest that a day of self-denial must begin the night before. If we are undisciplined with our lives and stay up too late or don't allow ourselves enough sleep to be refreshed in the morning, how will we be able to be focused and un-rushed in our times with the Lord. This time is precious and important and shouldn't be rushed, just as a pilot shouldn't rush through his "pre-flight" checklist.
ReplyDeleteGarrett Schmitt
Atlanta, GA
Very true, Garrett. Thanks for adding this encouragement and challenge.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tom for this mind changing article. It speaks to what I have been feeling.My job took a lot of my time and at the end of the day I had very little to offer.I want to respond as Jesus did to those around me. NYC is a lot of hustle but so many people here need God.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Jackie M
New York
I wholeheartedly agree with Garrett's point as well. I am a repenting night owl. By my changing my poor habit of not getting to bed at a good hour, I am able to get up early in a refreshed state to be able to start my day by putting on the full armor of God through my personal time spent with him. Ephesians 6:13-15. Thank you also for the reminder of this preparation enabling us to deny ourselves for others without leaving any trace of regret like Jesus did.
ReplyDelete