Deny Self

This past week I have been pondering what it truly means to "deny self and follow." (Luke 9:23) I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around it. I mean, Jesus Christ was the perfect example of denying self. He was perfect and without sin. He lived here on earth, an imperfect place, and He followed His Father's plan for Him. That part I totally understand. No man could do that except He have divine power. Here is where the rubber meets the road. We are to be like Christ. When I really get down to business with that idea, it is overwhelming. Do you know what that requires of me? REALLY? Christ wants ME to be like HIM?" Then I remember that His grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Whew! I am not expected to do this of my own power. In fact, it is in my weakness that power is made complete. Okay, so now Christ wants me to rejoice in my weakness? Yep. That is what His Word says. So that the power of Christ may rest upon me. This whole scenario has been played out in my mind so many times this past week that I have lost count. When I have wanted to binge on the cookies in the pantry, God, in His grace, has gently reminded me that to do so would mean consequences. He reminded me that His Son endured testing and trials and sinned not. Because of this, I know that He totally understands my struggles and I can rest in Him. Does this mean if I mess up, He will walk away from me in disgust? No way! He loves me so much that He not only forgives me, He helps me pick back up and keep on keeping on. In a strange sort of way, this past week has been extremely easy to walk in obedience when it comes to eating. I know it is because my heart is ready once again to let Christ be my strength in weakness. I am not doing this alone. He knows my need to lose the weight to reduce the stress on my feet and my knees for that matter. He desires me to be healthy. Most importantly, He is helping me to understand that in my weakness and when my strength is gone that is when His strength becomes perfect for me.

Fanny Crosby put it well in her hymn I Am Thine O Lord.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

Refrain:

Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

Tomorrow is my official weigh in day and I took a sneak peak Tuesday and was so excited to see the results from doing Weight Watcher Online in just a few days.  Having done WW on my own in the past, I know that the first few weeks the pounds will literally fall off and I am convinced they work it that way so that you get excited and want to keep going.  I will post an update tomorrow after I officially weigh myself for the week.