“Attachment to things drops away by itself when you no longer seek to find yourself in them.” – Eckhart Tolle

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Listen to my song “Pour Me Out” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

Support my ministry by purchasing my songs and books (Mercy Reigns & Listen to Your Heart). Thank you!

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Luke 17:33

“Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.”

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Ah, another of Jesus’ Zen-like sayings that gives us a key to abundant life.

But many simply let this go in one ear and out the other without effect.

That’s probably because those who taught us these scriptures didn’t understand them either!

I have found today’s scripture verse to be profoundly true in my life.

We start out in life trying to “be somebody” in the eyes of our parents, friends, and culture.

At that point, we are trying to form an ego.

It’s my identity in the world.

But, alas, it’s a false self.

It’s not a bad self, just not my true self.

My true identity is a beloved child of God.

But that won’t get much cred or honor from this culture.

It takes letting go of identifying with power, possessions, and prestige.

It takes a lot of letting go of the things that don’t matter to find the things that do.

It takes dying to self, as in your ego self, to find your true self.

This is the path of self-emptying that Jesus demonstrated with his entire life.

The paradox is this: When my false self dies, my true self rises.

St. Paul put it this way: “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:19-20).

And he also put it this way: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:3-4).

When I eventually let go of all the masks I had put on, all the adornments of my false self, lo and behold, I found more life than I could ever have imagined, whether it was youth ministry, or chaplaincy, or jail ministry, or music ministry.

And it was all due to Grace as well as my slow cooperation.

What is God calling you to let go of so that you can experience abundant life?

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Listen to the song of the day “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!