"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.'" -Matthew 16:24
- So much easier said than done. If we understood the grace of God and knew how much He loved us, would we still struggle with denying ourselves, picking up that heavy cross and following Christ? And what other way is there to understand the greatness of our God's love other than reading His word?

Thomas a Kempis said something like, "to the extent that you die to yourself is the extent that [Christ] will dwell in you." something like that.

I want so badly to want to long after God! but how do I bring myself to seek Him? Lord, be my obsession. Take over this blind and stupid heart. Make me Yours...

This struggle stinks I see God and I know that He's all that I need, but I always run the other way. It's times like these when I realize that it's impossible for me to have been the one to turn to God without Him seeking me first. "We love because He first loved us."

Christ demands all of me. I cannot hold on to things of this world. "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Mark 9:62

Open my eyes to Your abundant love and grace. May I live a life of gratitude.