My hands clenched the rough granite with the ferocity of a woman who knows one wrong move will result in one of two things: death or serious injury.
I was nearing the summit of a 12,000-foot peak in Wyoming’s Wind River Range—at least ten miles from the nearest sign of human civilization. The shift of my left foot sent a cascade of debris tumbling down the mountain. “I shouldn’t have come here alone,” I whispered. The situation was precarious. I needed to scale a ten-foot long, six-inch wide ledge to get to the next “safe” spot of the climb.
I was perched on the mountainside for one simple reason: I longed for fulfillment in a life of mundane tasks and responsibilities that seemed to drain the life from me—one long week after another. Wilderness adventure brought life back to my soul.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that a life of fulfillment isn’t found through a series of adrenaline-surged experiences, but by following Christ’s command. If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.This verse points to a startling truth. The more self-centered I am, the less fulfilled I will be. Christ calls His followers to die to self and follow Him. The secret to a fulfilled life is to stop living for myself and start living for Christ.
Living for Christ means making personal sacrifices so we will grow in relationship with Him. It means surrendering time, energy, and money to follow His command to make disciples. And it is not idolizing our passions for entertainment, comfort, and adventure. Instead, we sacrifice these luxuries so we might share His love with others.
If you aren’t experiencing a fulfilled life, a shift toward others-centered living will breathe vitality into your soul. Consider where you can lay down your desires and join Christ on the exciting journey of living for others today.
Christ is calling you to greater heights of fulfillment. Find those heights through the sacrifice of investing in others.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
I am a Christian writer, too. But I have become self-centered over the winter and have not written much except in my journal. Thank you for the push to get back to it. I have a fb page - Devotions by Lorraine.