"Lose to Win"

Give your life- what is the cost?

To win your life it must be lost,

To lose control, your cares all tossed,

Just pass the reins to Him.

Don’t fear it, son, ‘cause that’s the key,

To all the peace you’d like to see,

And life that’s lived abundantly,

Free from the pow’r of sin.

Take up the cross and everyday,

Relinquish rights to do and say,

Bought with a price, His rule holds sway,

Our lives are not our own.

But when we die we get to live,

And oh the grace our God will give,

Cancel debts and all forgive,

And more like Jesus’ grown.

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.” (Luke 9:23, NAS)

Jesus talks here about the crux of discipleship. Whatever we thought our life could or should be is lost unless it is surrendered to Jesus. He is the author of our identity and the only One fit to lead us eternally. He bought us when He died and was raised, but unless we commit ourselves to Him we will never know the benefit of His sacrifice. Losing our lives means we lose egotistical control of what we do, and die to our selfishness. We relinquish our “rights” to Him and allow His Spirit to redefine who we are and what we do.

Lord, help us to surrender to You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Don Weller, used by permission. Thanks, Don, and God bless you.