And he said unto them,

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself

and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9.23.

Dear Jesus, it's my heart's desire to follow after you.

I only want to be where you are and where you lead.

Being in the heart of your will is the safest place to be.

I realize you may lead in ways that are foreign to me.

I may not understand where you're taking me,

and I honestly may not even want to go there.

But it is in those times that I must deny myself,

pick up my cross, and crucify my flesh,

so I can follow you.

It is painful to let go of my expectations

of what I thought I wanted in my life.

But that's what it means to follow you and take up my cross.

As surely as you said in the garden the night before your crucifixion, not my will, but thy

will be done, I too must have that steadfast perseverance to thy will and not my will as I follow you. Even as Jesus was obedient

unto death, he was raised up, and you glorified him above all others. As I pursue you into your

plan and purpose for my life, I will accomplish more than I ever thought possible.

You will lead me into your divine destiny

and reward me for my obedience.

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