April 24, 2025

LET GO AND TRUST JESUS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

 Matthew 16:24–26 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

Imagine for a moment that you’re out at sea. A violent storm rolls in and capsizes your boat. In desperation, you grab onto a piece of floating wood—your only source of security in the chaos. Hours pass. You’re exhausted, drenched, and praying for rescue.

Suddenly, you see a boat approaching. Hope rises in your chest as a lifeline is thrown your way. You reach for it, and they call out, “Let go of the wood and we’ll pull you in.”

It should be an easy choice. But something holds you back. That piece of wood has kept you afloat for hours. It has been your lifeline—your comfort. Letting go feels like a risk, even though rescue is right in front of you.

This is exactly what many of us face spiritually.

We cling to the things that have helped us survive—our coping mechanisms, false comforts, and self-made solutions. We rely on our own strength, our routines, our relationships, our pride. But when Jesus calls us to follow Him, He also asks us to let go. Let go of the wood. Let go of our way. And trust Him to bring us to safety.

That’s what it means to take up your cross. It means dying to the old life and surrendering completely to Jesus. Not trying to bring the broken pieces of our past into our new life, but trusting Him fully, even when it’s hard.

Many try to follow Jesus while still holding onto their “wood”—their old ways, habits, and identities. But Jesus says that if we try to save our own lives, we’ll lose them. That piece of wood will eventually sink.

We must constantly examine our hearts. Are we still clinging to things Jesus has called us to let go of? Are there hurts, habits, or hang-ups that we’ve refused to surrender?

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, show me what I need to release. Help me to fully trust in You—not in people, possessions, or my own strength. Forgive me for hiding behind what I’m still holding on to. Today, I choose to let go and follow You.

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