For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
Luke 9:24
The motto of self-preservation is: “I have to look out for myself because no one else will.” Too many people live with this as the motto for their life. This was the primary lie that led to the primary sin in the Garden of Eden. This is what the enemy whispered in the ear of Adam and Eve.
What Jesus was saying in the above passage of scripture is that self-preservation is self-sabotage in disguise. In relationships, when we are constantly trying to protect ourselves, we end up hurting others. When we put walls up, we end up burning bridges down. Too often, our attempts to protect ourselves from getting hurt are the very things that leave us isolated, alone, and full of shame. Whoever tries to save their life ends up losing it in the process.
Yet, according to Jesus, we can reverse this.
If we are willing to lose our life, willing to be vulnerable, to confess, to forgive, to risk loving people who might hurt us, we will end up finding life. Just as self-preservation is self-sabotage in disguise, self-sacrifice is self-care in disguise.
Giving our life away is surprisingly life-giving.
Fire and Light 