“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:25). Let’s be honest, this verse sounds scary at first. Lose your life? Hate it? We hear that and clutch tighter to our routines, our comfort zones, our plans.
But maybe that’s exactly the problem. See, Jesus wasn’t offering a morbid challenge, He was extending a divine invitation. One that says: “Let go of what is fading so I can give you what will never run dry.” Aren’t you tired of the almosts?
Almost joyful. Almost fulfilled. Almost healed. We run in circles trying to make life work, grasping for peace, but always just short. Always just tired. Always just… not quite there. That’s because we were never designed to do life apart from Life Himself. The struggle, the striving, the constant low-grade ache in your chest, it’s a symptom of living a life we were never meant to carry on our own.
But oh, what an exchange He offers. Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
(Mat 11:28–30) He’s not asking for your life to leave you empty. He’s asking for your life so He can fill it with His. The broken version. The tired version. The striving, performance-driven, anxious version. He says, “Give it to Me. And I’ll give you rest, peace, joy, purpose, identity, belonging.”
This is not a death sentence. It’s a resurrection invitation. We were not just made to serve God from a distance. We were made to know Him. To walk with Him. To lean back and rest our weary heads on His chest, like John did at the Last Supper. (John 13:23).
Imagine that for a moment. Not another prayer you throw up into the sky, hoping for a reply… But a quiet moment, leaning in, listening for His whisper. Feeling the rhythm of His heart beating close, closer than your next breath. He is not far. He is not complicated. He is not unreachable. Surrendering your life may sound like a death, but it’s actually a doorway.
It’s where striving ends and true living begins. Life with Jesus is not easy, but it is peaceful. It’s not painless, but it’s purposeful. It’s not always pretty, but it is powerful. You can sit with Him.You can exchange your burdens. You can finally stop survi-ving and start living. All it takes is a yes… (VICKY LUDICK)
“How do you handle so much criticism, and hate?”
My answer is simple: Once you have experienced THE LOVE OF JESUS, and His heart; there is really not much that matters in this world, but THAT LOVE, and sharing IT with others. The LOVE of CHRIST is stronger and more powerful than any hate you will ever receive in this whole world!
The LOVE of CHRIST is stronger and more powerful than any comment on social media! The LOVE OF CHRIST is bigger and stronger than any satanic suggestion! The LOVE OF CHRIST is stronger and more powerful than any form of witchcraft (I can testify to this firsthand).
The LOVE OF CHRIST is stronger than what any institution, religious leader or religious zealot can ever say about me! The LOVE OF CHRIST is also bigger and wider than what I’ve done or can ever do! Once you’ve expe- rienced Christ’s heart (even if for a moment) that experience will last you a lifetime. Even if no-one “likes” me, or love me, or “follows” me in the end; THE LOVE OF JESUS WILL STILL BE THERE AND WILL SUSTIAN ME! No-one and NO-THING WILL EVER SEPARATE ME FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS JESUS CHRIST.
Rom 8 : 38-39. So dear friends I don’t deal with “hate” or “criticism” or “accusations”, ’cause in the bigger scheme of things, and because of THAT LOVE OF JESUS, that I’ve experienced first hand. How much do opinions, or people’s attitudes towards me really matter ?
Be blessed. HE LOVES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. Know your identity in Christ! (Riaan Swiegelaar)
