So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:33 (ESV)
Lord Jesus, what am I holding on to today that is hindering me from being a true disciple? What “loves” do I have on this side of eternity that are acting like blockers to me having a deeper, fresher fellowship with You? What am I holding on to so tightly that I cannot see that it is keeping me from having a closer walk with You?
I confess that I can become consumed with “living.” Though in this season I am not walking in blatant sin, when I do a deep examination of my heart what I find that is a disqualifier is not the necessarily the things I do but instead the things I hold on to. Whether habits, longings, desires, ambitions (there are many), on the outside they look relatively harmless. Yet, when I peel back the layers, they really do not enhance my relationship with You. Some relationships get in the way of me being who You are calling me to be in the moment. Some opinions that I hold on to, though I can find all kinds of ways to rationalize them, are counter to who You are calling me to be in the moment. Some things I am pursuing, though on the surface they seem noble, after digging below the surface, they are founded and established for purposes that are self-serving and not Kingdom focused.
Lord, I am Your disciple. Show me today what I need to renounce, turn away from, for You. If it does not serve You or cannot be used by You to build Your Kingdom, I don’t want any part of it! Continue to daily remove the desires that I have for self-gratification and replace them with an insatiable hunger to please You. You, Lord, are my soul’s deepest desire. Purge me of all other distractions; I surrender all to You today and everyday. I lay my all at Your feet, my King. Have Your way with me. Amen.