Come Follow Me

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
~ Luke 9:23 ~

Jesus both taught and exemplified many personal qualities which we should consider as we try to follow Him. These qualities include love, meekness, humility, compassion, thirsting after righteousness, being prayerful, merciful, and pure in heart. We should never judge others but should do unto our neighbor as we would have them do unto us. He taught that we should be the salt of the earth and a light unto the world. He said that what a man thinketh in his heart is as important as his outward actions. We were told to forgive everyone, including our debtors, and to love our enemies. Not only are we to be peacemakers, but we are also to rejoice in persecution. He advised us to give our alms and to fast and pray in secret. He taught us to turn the other cheek and to go the extra mile. He especially cautioned us to lay up treasures in heaven rather than treasures on earth. (See Matt. 5–7.)
~ William W. Parmley – “Come, Follow Me” – October 2003 General Conference ~

I had to come to realize that Christ instruction to follow Him required sacrifice of my pride, ego, and personal will. This is what is encouraged in true Christian Faith. It is also something that is highly encouraged in recovery rooms. What does it mean when Christ said that we are to come follow him? At first, I thought it meant to follow His teachings. After all, that is what I grew up believing. However, many have confused such call to action with various sophistry and philosophical meanderings. To come and follow Christ is much more than aligning myself to what he taught. To follow Christ meant two important factors: To deny myself and to willingly take up my own cross every day in order to follow Him.

What exactly am I following then? Simple and most profound spiritual truth is the Savior’s example. It is a higher spiritual calling for those who are brought to the depths of humility. Touched by the power and authority of the Holy Spirit. Convicted of their present condition, and then the volition and willingness to surrender all that one is and to give their very lives and will over to God’s care. This is exactly what the savior had done numerous times. He submitted his will, his life, over to the care of the Father. And yet he was the Son of the Most High and the Only Begotten of the Father. If it was as important for the Savior of humanity to give his life, will, and authority over to the Father’s care – how much more important is it for me to do the same?

The Higher Power many outside the Christian faith read about is a spiritual idea. One may think of this Higher Power as God – Goodness, Power, Love, Spirit, Father, Friend, or it may be nothing more than a particular fellowship of other fellow traveler’s where one is at last finding who they are. It is the very willingness to accept, and acknowledge, that something or someone is greater than w are. It becomes a spiritual idea. The very fact of our surrender, our humility, makes it spiritual. Things really begin to happen in our lives when we accept the idea that there is a power bigger and wiser than we are. Something begins to happen when we turn to a spiritual idea for our daily guidance.

It is my own personal confidence in my Heavenly Father, working in me by the power of the Holy Spirit, which releases and activates my ability to make my life a more joyous, satisfying experience. I cannot bring this about by relying on my own personal efforts and my own limited ideals. To come unto Christ and follow Him means I need to learn the value and worth of his own personal example that has been set forth. To come follow Christ means I need to come to a place of humility, sweet surrender and deny myself and to take up the cross each and every day. There, I find peace of mind and power to grow.

TODAY’S PRAYER AND MEDITATION

Heavenly Father, you sent your only Begotten Son into the world to call all persons to come unto Him and follow His life and His example. Through which we humbly deny ourselves and take up our own cross. The Savior’s love and relationship with you is the relationship and love I also seek. To walk in humility, forgiveness, love, power, and goodness. I know I am not able to rely on my own ideas and will. Through you, I am able to come and partake of your love and have a portion of thy spirit with me. In Jesus name, Amen.