“On self.
A rejection, or in Scripture’s strong language, a crucifixion of the natural self is the passport to everlasting life. Nothing that has not died will be resurrected.” C.S. Lewis
I love to travel, especially internationally. I love the pre-travel experience: the research, preparation, anticipation and even the packing! I enjoy gathering all the “essentials” in my suitcase way ahead of time to see if it all fits…then invariably editing!
The one essential needed to facilitate international travel is a passport. It secures admission to the destination country. A passport must be valid and be carried safely so as not to get lost. No passport, no entrance.
In reality, even our earthly residence is a temporary home-base. Our ultimate destination is our Creator’s home. Our experience here is as a “restless wanderer” as we pass (move in a path so as to approach and continue beyond something) through our port (harbor where ships discharge cargo) to our final destiny. In preparation, our current lives should exhibit the continual releasing and unloading of baggage. What cargo do we need to surrender?
Ourselves.
To gain entrance to our final destination we need to let go of self and all its desires, plans, preferences, actions and thoughts that do not align with God’s and embrace our Creator as the King of both realms: our present and future. There’s only one way to do that: embrace His Son.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6.
Jesus is our passport to our ultimate port of call: an infinite, personal relationship with God. Dying to self is our passport to Jesus.
Surrender isn’t easy. Being willing to give up control is a life-long challenge. In fact, we can’t unload this burden ourselves. But God surrendered His own Son and gives His own Spirit to enable us to offload and be free of that which isn’t of Him.
The “death” of ourselves and acceptance of Jesus as the Captain of our lives validates our ID, enables us to enter our eternal home and live our resurrected, best life both now and forever.
And to our great relief, once we have this passport, we can never lose it!
-Kathi Fritz (a contributing writer and member of the COBI community)
I like this particular blog at this particular moment because it is so simple. It reminds me easily of what the focus is on. Thank you Kathi. I also think the analogy with traveling and passports is helpful.