“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8)

St. Patrick was kidnapped, enslaved, and spent six years alone in the cold as a shepherd. But in that silence, he found God. Later, God called him back to the very place that had enslaved him, not for revenge but to share the gospel. Because one person said yes to something hard and uncomfortable, an entire nation was transformed. True discipleship comes at great cost, but it leads to great glory and joy. Paul knew this. He gave up everything to follow Jesus, and he never regretted it. He counted it all as rubbish compared to knowing Christ.

Here’s the question for you today: What is Jesus asking you to surrender? Maybe it’s your comfort, your reputation, your plans, or your control. Maybe He’s calling you to the deep end of the pool in discipleship, to invest wholeheartedly in someone else’s life even though it will cost you time, energy, and vulnerability. The reality is that your job, your relationships, your status, and your success will eventually fail you. Jesus never will. But He’s not interested in being a side hobby or a good additionto your already full life. He’s calling you to give Him everything. And when you do, when you count it all as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Him, you’ll discover a treasure that makes everything else look like rubbish in comparison. The cost is real, but the glory is greater.

Reflect:

• What is Jesus asking you to surrender right now that you’ve been holding back from Him?
• How have you experienced the truth that following Jesus wholeheartedly, though costly, leads to greater joy than anything else?
• Ask God to help you see Jesus as the greatest treasure, worth giving up everything for, and to give you courage to follow Him into the deep end of discipleship.