Day 1 - What It Means to Be Relentless

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If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his

cross daily and follow me.

 Luke 9:23

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What does the word “Relentless” mean? The dictionary tells me that relentless means to be oppressively constant, incessant, and inflexible. Does that word describe me? Ehh… most days, it does not. I’m a pretty flexible person, and many would probably describe me as spontaneous. You woke up and feel like getting some fresh ocean air, but the drive is 2.5 hours away? Girl, I’ve got gas in the van—let’s load up and go! You just got the kids down for bedtime and need to unwind? Give me 10 minutes and I’ll be over with a Diet Coke! I am naturally a more fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of gal. But relentless? It’s not the first word I’d use to describe me. It’s not the first word anyone else would use to describe me either.

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This past year has been different, though. Something in me has changed, and this fun, disorganized, “we don’t have the time or money, but let’s just do it anyways” kind of person I’ve been my whole life is growing up. It has only taken me 30+ years to realize just how childish I have been my whole life. Yes, I may be real fun to be around, but I am also messy and irresponsible and, in the long run, that is not real fun. That is frustrating—for me and everyone around me. So I have been growing in this word we all hate to love and love to hate: discipline. The Lord has been speaking to me about it for a few years, but it is just starting to take root and bear fruit in my life.

I find that so many of us approach our spiritual life in this same childish manner I’ve approached my everyday life for years. If we feel motivated, we’ll do it, but if we have other things going on that feel more fun, more pressing, or more interesting, we will run to those things first and put our discipleship on the back burner. Oh, we never stop loving God. We’ve got K-LOVE on in the minivan, we follow a lot of preachers on social media, and we love posting gratitude posts in the month of November, but radical, intentional, daily, relentless discipleship? That’s kind of a lot, isn’t it?

It kind of is, but it’s also kind of the point of Christianity. When Jesus uses the word follow in Luke 9:23, it literally means to be in the same way with. If I take a look in the mirror of my spiritual life today, right now, this moment, can I really say that I am living, acting, thinking, being in the same way as Jesus? That is relentless discipleship. That is radical, intentional, daily obedience to God and His will in His way.

These next thirty days are for transformation, for growth, for growing your passion and fulfilling your purpose in radically, intentionally, and relentlessly taking up your cross and following Jesus every day in every way. If that sounds impossible to you—as it does to me even as I write this—that is a good thing.

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“But then he said, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’”
—Luke 18:27

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If Jesus can save us from sin, death, and hell, surely He won’t leave us to figure out this impossible task of relentless discipleship on our own. He has already given us everything—wouldn’t He give us this too? When we are faced with the impossible, it is truly just an opportunity for God to show off His power and glory in our lives. So let’s let Him do that over these next thirty days.

Every time we are faced with a truth, a mission, or a mindset that feels insurmountable these next few weeks, let’s run to the Lord and ask for His wisdom to be supplied and His power to be made perfect in our weakness. We are going to be absolutely different in thirty days if we deny ourselves and say yes to the Lord.

Jesus, as we take an honest look at the current state of our spiritual life, will You open our eyes to see what YOU see, open our ears to hear what YOU are saying to us about this, and open our hearts to receive what You say and then go and obey? We want to love You wholeheartedly, not just when we’re in the mood or the circumstances are favorable. Help us to see where we’ve made our relationship with You about our own desires instead of truly denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following after You.

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Reflection Questions
Ask yourself these questions and answer honestly, only you see these answers, but also ask God what His thoughts are about these things. He sees all our blindspots and wants us transformed into His likeness - whole and healed. Let Him transform you as you work through these questions.

 

Sight – Your Outlook

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• When you look at your life today, do you see evidence of relentless discipleship, or do you see a faith that shifts based on circumstances?
                             

Smell – The Atmosphere You Create

• When motivation fades, what spiritual atmosphere lingers in your life? Does it carry the fragrance of discipline and devotion, or does it smell more like stagnation and inconsistency? What small shifts in your routine could help cultivate an atmosphere of relentless pursuit of Jesus?
                                                           

Touch – Your Actions and Behaviors

• If someone observed your daily life, what physical evidence would they see that you are truly following Jesus relentlessly? What needs to change?
                                             

Hearing – Your Influences

• What voices, influences, or distractions tend to pull you away from intentional discipleship? How can you tune your ears to God’s direction instead?
   

Taste – Your Beliefs

• Do you truly savor the call to deny yourself and take up your cross daily, or does it feel burdensome? What truths about God’s character can make this calling something you desire rather than dread?