August 31

---

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. Mark 8:35

---

🔊 When we follow the way of self-fulfilment and self-realisation, of satisfying our desire for pleasure and comfort, we are ‘sowing to the flesh’ – building up a debt to the flesh – Galatians 6:8. Self-indulgence has a price, and we will have to pay a high price for many years. But if we ‘lose’ our lives, and give up our rights and our pleasures, then we will ‘sow to the Spirit’, and we will cultivate something that will bring abundant returns. The spiritual person loses out in the short term, but when the rewards start coming, they multiply and never stop. The habit of losing our life will result in the multiplying of our spiritual resources. While others are embarrassed by their spiritual weakness, we will be overwhelmed by the goodness of God poured into our lives. Those who take a short-cut will pay for it dearly; those who follow God’s ways will rejoice in the grace and favour that are heaped upon them. Don’t be tricked by quick and easy solutions. They will leave you shallow and empty for years. Follow the ways of Jesus, and wait confidently for the rewards of faith – life eternal and joy unspeakable.