And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Luke 9:23-25

Many people I know speak of taking risks with their lives, but only a few have taken real risks. I know one young man who walked away from a somewhat lucrative career to venture out with his own business. He did take a risk, a calculated one, that has paid great dividends for him.

In the passage above, Jesus is inviting each of us on a great adventure with no real risk, that is if we are willing to give up our lives, deny ourselves, and give ourselves completely to him.

How many of us read along and nod at the middle sentence above – “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it”? We nod because we know it is true, but are we willing to die to ourselves?

Our acknowledgment continues in the next verse because we’ve all seen people who have gained the world and lost themselves in the process.

Jesus promises a great adventure. He wants us to have a fulfilled life. I am reminded of a song I haven’t heard in years –

The world will try to satisfy that longing in your soul,
You may search the wide world over but you'll be just as before.
You'll never find true satisfaction until you've found the Lord,
For only Jesus can satisfy your soul.