Several
years ago I watched a movie titled "The Forbidden Kingdom". It didn't look like
much of a movie, but there was one scene where Jet Li was set to fight Jackie
Chan. I watched it solely because I wanted to see that spectacular event, and I
wasn't disappointed.
The
story is about a geeky American teenager -- a huge fan of Kung Fu movies -- who
is transported to an ancient Chinese culture where he is the chosen one to
fight the evil lord. It's a pretty common story. Jackie Chan and Jet Li (their
characters) are his trainers who are set to teach this boy true Kung Fu.
The
problem is that the boy has filled his mind with all the moves from the movies
he's watched. He wants to do all these super cool moves, but they are just stunts
from movies and not real Kung Fu.
When
they realize this, his teachers get frustrated. They tell him it is impossible
to fill a cup that is already full.
We
are full people. We all have things and ideas and attitudes that fill our minds
and lives each day. Walking the walk of a Christian is difficult because we are
weighed down by what we have allowed to fill our lives.
Beginning
next week we will begin a series at Aztec church of Christ where we will be talking about
dying to self. But what does that mean? Death is such an intimidating concept.
Dying
to self is dying to all the things that fill us that aren't from God and don't
emulate Jesus. It is an emptying of rue cup so that the nature of Jesus can
fill it.
Greed,
anger, hatred, jealousy, frustration, impatience, un-forgiveness, busy-ness,
addiction, selfishness, sin. All of these things fill our lives and hinder us
from living free as God intends for us. The struggles we face in this life come
because we are selfish beings who have yet to die to self.
Not
all events are in our control, but our reaction to those events are shaped by
how much of ourself we have allowed to die and be transformed into Christ's
likeness. Imagine a marriage where both people didn't seek their own interests
but only what God wills -- only the love of the other. This can only happen when
we die to self.
It's
not easy, and sometimes it's painful, but then again those ideas only make us
afraid because we are consumed with self.
It's
time to die young -- to die before your physical death comes. It's time to put
yourself aside and be so focused on God that your life reflects the image of
His Son, Jesus. If you die to yourself beforehand, the physical death we all
encounter won't be nearly so intimidating. It's time to empty your cup so
Christ can fill it.
Join
us for "Die Young" beginning April 21. In the meantime, if you'd like to learn
more about this concept of dying to yourself then I recommend you read the book
"Die Young" by Michael and Hailey DiMarco.
God
bless you as your life is transformed because you chose to die to yourself and
live for Christ.
