Blogging Through Embracing Gethsemane: Navigating Life's Darkest Moments - Dying to Self

This post is part of a series documenting my journey as I blog through my book.

There’s a weight that bears down on us, a quiet, unrelenting force. Dying to self is not the same as dying, but it feels like an end. We relinquish our attachments to our agendas, our expectations, our desires. We surrender them, piece by piece, in an act of willful obedience. It’s not about denying who we are or our worth. Rather, it’s about acknowledging that our desires may not align with God's plan, trusting in His sovereignty, and recognizing His infinite wisdom and love.

The act of dying to self requires a profound shift in perspective and priorities. It’s a shedding of the old skin, a transformation from within. No longer do we seek self-gratification, recognition, or personal gain. Instead, we embrace humility, selflessness, compassion, and service to others. We strive for a deeper connection to God.

In Matthew 16:24-25, Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." These words, stark and demanding, call us to abandon our earthly ambitions. They urge us to trust that in losing our life, we find true life.

I think about the Apostle Paul, who wrote in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Paul understood what it meant to die to self. His life was no longer his own; it belonged to Christ. It’s a heavy calling, but one that promises a fullness of life beyond our understanding.

This journey of dying to self is not an easy path. It’s fraught with struggle and moments of doubt. We cling to our desires and our plans because they are familiar. But in letting go, we make room for something greater. We open ourselves to the transformative power of God’s love.

Humility becomes our guide. In Philippians 2:3-4, we are reminded, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others." This is the essence of dying to self. It’s a call to lift others up, to serve with a heart full of compassion.

Service to others becomes your mission. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, a humble act of service that spoke volumes about His love and His understanding of true leadership. When you serve others, you emulate Christ’s example. You draw closer to Him, finding in your acts of service a deeper connection to His heart.

Dying to self is an ongoing process. Each day, you must choose to surrender your will to God’s. It’s a journey marked by grace and sustained by faith. As you walk this path, you discover the richness of a life lived for Him. You find that in losing yourself, you gain everything.

I explore these thoughts and more in my new book Embracing Gethsemane: Navigating Life’s Darkest Moments. You can purchase the book here: https://amzn.to/3IwgFHa

Jim

The Chaplain Writer