Stay Low by Taking Others High

“And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me'” (Luke 9:23).

This is a hard saying. Self-denial certainly does not come easily. When I remind myself throughout the workday to die to self, the focus immediately shifts to me.

• Let it go. It doesn’t matter in the long run.
• She just doesn’t understand the facts.
• My opinion is only one of many others.

If my attempt to “stay lower than myself” requires self-talk and rationalization, then perhaps I’ve missed the point of self-denial.

It’s not about me.

To stop thinking about me, I need to focus more on others. The simplest way to lower myself is to elevate the person with me.

I don’t need to do anything to myself other than focus on the leading of the Holy Spirit. Jesus leads me to others.

What a powerful leadership principle. Follow Jesus to raise up others.