“Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.”
John 12:25-26 NLT
Letting Go To Save Your Life!?
a video poem
by C C Keaton
In the midst of Jesus explaining the end of days
In Luke 17 we find a curious phrase
“If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it.”
Wait! What did He say?
Just what is this message our Lord, in mystery, conveys
As I ponder the strange logic of Jesus ways
I looked deeper into the Word to meditatively graze
Finding clues, taking me through, a glorious maze
It’s not just in Luke that Jesus’ stark warning pervades
But in all four gospels, this radical idea, our Lord proclaims
That in order to truly live we must let go of the tight reign
On our selfish pursuits that persistently crave…
…and prey, misbehave, enslave, rage…
All leading to the grave!
There must be something hidden in this promise Jesus claims
After all, there is no greater love than one who lays down their life for other’s sake!
And make no mistake
Whenever we surrender to God’s will and to our wants wave
We make space for a Heavenly campaign
To break into the mundane
And effectively rearrange
What we allow or constrain
Letting go of selfish escapades
Its our hearts, mind and passions’ Jesus assays
As He lovingly first demonstrates
By conquering death, paying its price in our place!
So, let’s shout Hallelujah! Give Him praise!
For God also vows that what we give away
For His sake, in this life, will be returned in abundant display
Jesus turns our surrendered, earthly losses into Kingdom gains!
For all eternity, as we follow, pray and obey
He fills us up with love, joy, peace
Things that never decay!
And in His Love, forever, we’ll remain!
Shalom! You are loved, so give that love away! Today!
“Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.”
John 12:23-26 NLT