The Vanishing Act
If you’ve spent five minutes in a church pew, you’ve probably heard that the secret to being “holy” is to basically disappear. We’re taught that our desires, our boundaries, and our personalities are just big, ugly speed bumps God has to steamroll before He can use us.
But let me ask you: if the “cure” for your soul is making you miserable, is it really from God? You’ve heard it a thousand times: “You’ve got to die to self!” People toss that phrase around like a spiritual grenade whenever they want you to stop having a backbone or stop being you. If you’re burnt out, that kind of “dying” doesn’t feel like a blessing. It feels like being erased. You’re left wondering, “If I’m supposed to be dead, why does it hurt so much? And if I’m gone, who’s left for God to love?”
Don’t worry, that tension isn’t a lack of faith. It’s your wake-up call. There is a world of difference between acting religious and actually being changed by God.
Costumes vs. Heart Transplants
Acting religious is a DIY project, and let’s be honest, it’s exhausting. It’s like painting a dead tree green and hoping no one notices the rot. You use your willpower to follow the rules, smiling at your co-workers while you’re boiling on the inside. You say “yes” to everyone because you’re terrified of looking selfish.
Being changed by God is different. It’s not about you working harder; it’s about letting go of the steering wheel. Instead of forcing yourself to act kind, you wake up and realize you actually want to be kind. You aren’t just putting on a costume; you’re becoming a new person from the inside out.
Putting Down the Sword
Here is the secret that will set you free: You cannot kill yourself spiritually. If you’re the one holding the sword, your “ego” is still the one calling the shots!
Galatians 2:20 doesn’t say, “I’m working overtime to crucify myself.” It says, “I have been crucified.” Past tense! Done deal! When you started following Jesus, the old, messy version of you was finished. You’re exhausted because you’re trying to have a funeral for a ghost while the new, alive version of you is standing right there waiting to live.
The 25-Year Workout
I know a thing or two about doing things the hard way. My problem wasn’t the “I’m better than you” kind of pride. It was the “I don’t need help” kind. I left home at 17 with nothing and built a life on my own terms because I was scared and stubborn. I stayed off the streets and out of jail, but I was covered in scars.
For a control freak like me, letting God take over was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It’s an every-single-day choice. But every time I finally quit trying to be the boss, He never lets me down. It’s embarrassing to say, “I can’t fix this mess,” but when you stop trying to win on your own, the pressure finally lifts.
The Glove and the Vine
One of the biggest lies in religion is that you have to “copy” Jesus. Newsflash: The Christian life isn’t just hard; it’s impossible! Only one person can live it, and that’s Him.
Think about a glove. A glove can’t pick up a coffee cup on its own. It needs a hand inside it. We are the glove; He is the hand. Or think of a branch on a vine. That branch doesn’t wake up stressed, grunting and groaning to produce a grape. It just stays connected to the vine, and the life flows through it naturally.
Your Personality Isn’t a Problem
God didn’t give you that sense of humor or those talents just so He could watch you bury them in the backyard. When Jesus says “deny yourself,” He isn’t asking you to stop being human; He’s asking you to get off the throne.
The “self” that needs to go is that defensive, whiny part of us that needs to be the star of every story. Next time you feel “spiritually offended,” ask yourself: Is God’s glory at stake, or did my ego just not get the credit it wanted? That’s the part that needs the cross.
Don’t Be a Doormat
Does “dying to self” mean you let people walk all over you? Not at all! If you don’t have boundaries, you aren’t being holy. You’re just being a martyr to make yourself feel better. Jesus walked away from crowds to rest. He knew His worth. You aren’t a doormat; you’re a child of the King. You don’t have to fight for a seat at the table when He’s already pulled out a chair for you.
The Great Trade
This path doesn’t end in a grave; it ends in a garden. When you let go of the “old you,” the life of Christ flows in. You get more joy, more peace, and a lot less stress.
Try one thing today: Pick that one area where you’re white-knuckling control. Literally open your hands right now and say, “Lord, not my will, but Yours.” The moment you stop striving is the exact moment real life begins.
Leave a Reply