“Then he said to them all, whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NIV
Following Jesus is not something I can decide once and then move on from. It is a choice that I have to make every morning when I wake up. I have to decide daily whether I will follow Him or try to go my own way. I would love to say I always chose well, but the truth is that some days I simply do not feel like following. My own plans feel easier, my own understanding feels more comfortable, and going through the day without any real spiritual focus seems simpler.
Whenever I lean on myself, things never happen the way I hope. My strength runs out, my patience wears thin, and my peace disappears quickly. That usually sends me running back to Jesus by the end of the day as I remember again that His way is better than mine, even when His way may seem harder.
When Jesus calls me to take up my cross daily, He is inviting me into a life that cannot be reduced to a task on a list. It is a steady, moment by moment surrender. Each day He asks me to choose His will over my own, to trust His timing instead of mine, and to value His heart above my own desire for comfort.
Some days that choice feels natural. Other days, it feels like a quiet battle inside my soul. Either way, it’s necessary choice every single day.
The truth is that following Jesus rarely lines up with what I feel like doing. It often means forgiving when I want to stay angry, serving when I would rather rest, speaking truth when silence feels safer, and trusting Him when nothing makes sense. Even though it stretches me, I have never regretted choosing His way. I only regret the moments when I chose my own.
Today I am seeing again that faithfulness is not dramatic. It grows in the steady rhythm of choosing Jesus again and again, even on the days when my heart resists, and maybe even more on those days.
Scriptures for Reflection
“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 ESV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV
Prayer
Jesus, I confess that there are days when I drift my own way because it feels easy and familiar. I know that without You I can do nothing of eternal value, so I ask You to help me choose You each day. Shape my heart to seek Your will, walk in Your ways, and release my plans into Your hands. Strengthen me on the days when I do not feel like following, and remind me that faithfulness grows in each small daily yes. Thank You for the grace You renew every morning and for the love that never lets go. Amen.
Forged by The Word 