Losing It For Jesus, June 2
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by David Gira
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it” (Luke 9:24 NIV).
The world is full of beautiful things: gorgeous homes, fine furnishings, landscaped properties, fancy automobiles, boats, and planes. You can travel to exotic destinations. You can even have a designer body and clothe yourself with designer clothes. This life is rich with opportunities.
The allure of the world can be hypnotizing. Our focus can become making more money, acquiring wealth, and upping our purchase power, so we can have what we want.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with any of these things, our consumptions can consume us. We can spend so much of our time, thoughts, and energy on created things that we ignore the Creator. We can gain the world—but lose our relationship with God and lose ourselves (see Luke 9:25).
What if you would become consumed with Jesus and invest yourself getting to know Him? This is God’s greatest desire for you.
As you do, you quickly discover that when He lived on Earth, He had zero interest in the things of this world. He rode a donkey. He had no place to lay His head. He didn’t wear fancy clothes. He didn’t have any money. He never got a vacation. He denied himself the “good life” for a much higher purpose—saving you and me.
You might think, “Well, He’s Jesus. Good for Him. He’s the Son of God. I am not!” But Jesus wants your life to mirror His.
“Then [Jesus] said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?’” (Luke 9:23-25 NIV)
The stakes couldn’t be higher. The Aramaic Bible perhaps better captures this verse: “For how would a man benefit to gain the whole world but destroy his soul or lose it?” (Luke 9:25 ABPE) Not only can you lose out on the abundant life Jesus offers you today, you also risk losing out on heaven and the chance to live forever.
On the other hand, you could gain everything, even in the midst of cancer—forgiveness of your sin, peace with God, assurance of His love, and a life overflowing with love, joy, hope, and blessings. To top it off, you can receive the promise of heaven with Jesus and all who have arrived before us. All you have to do is let go.
It’s through this “letting go” that cancer can be a gift. It can cause you to loosen your grip on your life. It might even take from your hands things you couldn’t let go of on your own. Then you can hold on to the One who’s always been holding you and will never ever let go.
Pray: Lord, I am losing so much to cancer. Help me to gain all that matters most. Help me love You with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to know You more. Amen.
Your Turn: “Lose My Soul” by TobyMac is a great song that expresses the truth of this Bible verse. Check it out! What’s preventing you from loving Jesus? Lose it for Him!
Michael David Gira, Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
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