Following Jesus is not something everyone chooses to do. We ask ourselves, “Who wouldn’t choose Jesus – beautiful as He is??” But most of the things Jesus taught run counter to our culture’s way of living. Those who want to be comfortable with “everyone else is doing it” will not want to live what Jesus lived and taught.

Jesus said we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Consider these examples:

The world says, “The one who dies with the most toys wins”. It exalts wealth, power, and prestige. Remember that when Satan tempted Jesus, one of the things he offered Him was wealth and power. What was Jesus’ reply? “Worship the LORD your God, and serve Him only.” By contrast, Jesus instructed His followers to, “Sell everything you own and give to the poor and follow me”. During His three-year ministry, He didn’t even have a place to lay His head.

The world says those who are “great” may lord it over others. But right before His crucifixion, Jesus said those who want to be great in the kingdom of heaven will be servants. As a semi-final lesson in servant humility, the King of kings and Lord of lords picked up a towel and performed a lowly household servant’s task – washing the feet of the disciples!

The early Christians, as recorded in Acts, took Jesus literally. They sold their possessions to provide necessities for those Christians who didn’t have what they needed.

Maybe you don’t feel you have anything to sell. But are you continually wanting more and more, living beyond your means? Working more and more hours trying to “get ahead”? God guides us when we are listening for Him.