Looking To Lose
Matthew 16:24-26 ASV
(24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
(25) For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.
(26) For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?
So it really comes down to what you’re looking for. If you’re looking to get a bunch of junk, then you’re going to end up not only losing all of it, but also your very life. If, on the other hand, you’re looking to lose all of it, including your life, then you’ll end up with a life that eternally lacks for nothing. Looking to lose ends up with discover, while looking to get ends up with the loss of all. Huh?
I don’t know about you, but for me this is most challenging to the natural mind. We’re programmed to think that you have to pursue your goals, and the higher levels of achievement are directly connected to how much stuff you have. All this stuff, in turn, is a direct indicator of just how well you did at seeking those things that now define your success. To not be driven to the stuff-search is to be slothful and without expectation of anything profitable, and there can be no hope of an enjoyable life without seeking it.
There is, indeed, a necessity for diligence and hard work, but until the purpose and the drive that motivates it is given validity and true purpose in kingdom value, any stuff gained will be just like dried grass on a campfire– it may blaze bright for a few moments, but it will quickly die out with no real or lasting contribution to the fire’s purpose. It’s not that we’re supposed to be void of any drive for achievement, but with Jesus there is a motivation found for excellence in all things as each one of those things becomess a means of glorifying God instead of self. There is an endless supply of fuel for our drive’s purpose, the ultimate fire log, just waiting for discovery in the pursuit of the kingdom over any flash of self. Looking to lose one’s self in the quest for this greater treasure will result in so much more than anything self alone could ever attain. Looking to lose, then, must be the drive of the day, as worship of the King brings validity and value to every moment with unlimited expectation and hope, while the search for any other promises the loss of all.
