39 "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."
Matthew 10:39 (ESV)
Athlete, take a long, hard look at the epic words in the verse above. They unfold a winning formula for life that goes against everything culture teaches you today. Jesus declares this, wanting us to understand that real life lies in giving – not keeping, discovering others over self-discovery, dying to self rather than living for self. Athlete, the bottom line is this: When we lose ourselves for Jesus’ sake, we find ourselves. Self-fulfillment is found in Him. Answers come from above, not from within.
The take-away is this:
- FINDING IS LOSING. Solomon and Mick Jagger are correct. The scramble to feed self never really satisfies; it's a “chasing of the wind.”
- LOSING IS FINDING. Self-sacrifice paves the way to victory.
- “FOR HIS SAKE” KEYS THE WIN. Having the right “for whom” in place drives fulfillment to the max.
Athlete, where are you spending more time and energy, in finding or losing? Ponder this quote as you go about your day today: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” (Jim Elliot)
