He Who Finds His Life Will Lose It

What in the world is the Lord saying here in Matthew 10:38-39?

³⁸ And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. ³⁹ He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

We can understand that we must die to ourselves and follow the life that is chosen for us from the Father, but what is the Lord saying in verse 39? I mean we are told everyday that we must find our way in life if we are to be successful, right? We must find our life to have a healthy mental outlook and be able to make decisions with confidence, to make those decisions that are best for me and my family. We reason them out and come up with a plan based upon all our circumstances, then take it to the Lord in prayer and ask for a blessing and a way to carry it out. What's wrong, with this scenario?

I'll tell you what is wrong with this scenario, we forgot to start with the understanding that it is not my will, but His will that must be accomplished. I must think as a disciple first. My first thoughts should be to lose my life in His life, by deferring all my hopes and dreams to Him. His plans for my life and my families life are the ones that will allow me to find my life in Jesus. In other words, Love Him more than myself and others. By loving Him, I trust His will and direction for my life and then will pursue that calling. If He calls us to Wall Street or Bangladesh, I must follow that call. I must actively pursue Him in my spirit by studying to show myself approved, to learn of Him and His ways. I must pray and fast . I must struggle to understand all I can of the Lord. In pursuing an understanding of spiritual ways and giving Him praise through my lips and life, He will show me my life.

As Jesus said in verse 40,"He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me." We must encourage each other in our calling, as Christ would tell us, we must be laborers in the harvest, this is the challenge at hand, to reach others for the Kingdom while it is still day. In those that truly follow Christ, all the Nations of the world will be blessed, but we must be followers to manifest this blessing, a breaking of the vessel for the Spirit to flow out and heal the broken-hearted. To set the captives free, to loose the bonds of the tormented, allow Jesus to live through you today, and you will find your life.