He is no fool

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose”  Jim Elliott

I have been thinking after a particularly difficult morning in our home about this idea...of taking up our cross to follow Jesus.  Sometimes I read about the missionaries who gave up their very lives to reach a group of people and I'm inspired...forgetting that each day I'm called to the same loss of life.  Maybe it's not death here, but it is loss of things that are important to me.

Matthew 10:38-39 says: ³⁸ And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

and later in that same passage He says:  ⁴² And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

I am reminded today that I share in common something with those who have gone before me on the road of suffering...a chance today to take up my cross and follow Him...and not by going overseas right now but by living faithfully with His strength alone to do the job before me.  I must die to self and what I wish my family or my life looks like..and give a cold cup of water to those in my life who need it remembering that Jesus did far more than that for me.  I am no fool....to give what I cannot keep to gain what I can not lose...