Luke 17:33 “’Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.’”

This passage in Luke 17 is in the middle of the teaching of Christ about His return. We, as believers, all long for His return, don’t we? But this verse is not one we want to dwell on.

What He says here goes directly against our instinct to survive. He says if you spend all your time trying to preserve your life, you will lose it. But if you lose your life you will preserve it. Huh? That just doesn’t make sense. How can we preserve our life by losing it?

One of the greatest lessons we can learn is how to die to self. We have to lay down our own desires and wishes and way of life and embrace the life the Savior has for us. By doing that, what seems to be a sacrificial thing ends up being a fulfilling one. We are filled when we empty ourselves. We are lifted up when we fall down on our knees before Him.

How can you, as Mom and Dad, model this behavior? When you mess up (and we all do) are you able to admit that to your child? When you let your flesh get the best of you, can you go to whomever you have offended and apologize? Your children are watching you. They learn from your behavior.

I am anxiously looking forward to Christ’s return. But I know between now and then I must lay down my life for Him daily. It is no secret why He put that statement in the midst of this passage about His return. He wants us to be living empty of ourselves and full of Him when He returns. Why do you think it will happen “in the twinkling of an eye”? If we are surrendered to Him daily, that transformation to glory will just be another day of surrender to Him. If we are full of Him here, being with Him there will just seem…natural.