In the west we have the best of everything, from doctors, dentists, medical insurance, homes, etc. Yet, for all our blessings, we're not satisfied.

One statistic shows that the United States (with 5% of the world’s population) consumes 80% of cocaine worldwide.

What's wrong with this picture? Why aren't we satisfied with what we have? Why do those with the most creature comforts still seek for more? When is enough, enough?

Is it because we don't have enough, or perhaps we just haven't found the right thing yet? Is it because we haven't found what brings the peace, contentment, and purpose we strive for?

While the world tells us to fulfill ourselves, Jesus tells us to deny ourselves. To take up our cross and follow Him. That doesn't mean, however, to take some burden upon ourselves. The cross was never a burden that someone carried through life. It was an instrument and symbol of death. The cross always symbolized the end of life.

The paradox of genuine Christianity is that if we really wish to live, we must die. We must die to ourselves and our own craving for things in this life.

We must renounce what this world holds dear to its heart. Be it wealth, health, position in society, or whatever. These things are not what the Christian desires.

God created us for Himself and until we come to Him (and are reconciled to Him) we'll never find the rest and peace that we long for.

The puzzle of life is that we must give ourselves up to our Creator (and submit to His will) in order to fulfil the reason for our existence.

It's then that we're able to cope with the difficult alternatives life often brings. Because we've given ourselves to the Lord it's no longer an issue of what we want or desire.

We accept what our sovereign Lord gives and find contentment in His will for us.

We learn to pray with Jesus, “Not my will but yours”.

J.C. Ryle summarizes it this way: “Are you making any sacrifices? Does your religion cost you anything? I put it to your conscience in all affection and tenderness. Are you, like Moses, preferring God to the world, or not? Are you willing to give up anything which keeps you back from God, or are you clinging to the Egypt of the world, and saying to yourself, 'I must have it, I must have it: I cannot tear myself away'? Is there any cross in your Christianity?”

Have you come to that place in life where you're willing to accept what God brings into your situation and look to Him for grace and strength to carry on?

Will you deny yourself in order to gain Jesus? If you do you will never regret it. If you don't you always will.