We have all likely heard of the saying, “blind faith.” Most often it is a term associated with a negative meaning.  To follow something or someone by blind faith is to do so without considering the factual data and/or character of the person leading.  As Christians, our walk with God is not a matter of blind faith but one that is surrendered.  Knowing the facts and the cost we choose to follow Christ.

Every Friday morning from 6 A.M. to 7 A.M. a group of local men representing at least six different churches gathers together.  From all walks of life and all sectors of work, these men come together around Christ and His cross.  It is our primary goal to encourage one another as men to live a surrendered faith- to die to self that we may hold nothing back for our Savior and Lord.  On this particular Friday morning, the key focus verse of our devotional time was Luke 9:23.

“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

As we considered additional Scripture surrounding this verse and its meaning, it was evident within our small circle of men that we, too often, fail to see the application of this verse in everyday life.  Most significantly, in our relationship with God have we truly nailed ourselves onto the cross (Gal. 2:20) and our we continually driving home the nails?  This is where Christ wants us and where we need to be if we are to follow Him.  God does not want our so-called blind faith, He wants us surrendered by faith that we may truly follow Him.

“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

At the conclusion of our devotional time, I asked several questions to myself...

1- Does my wife see me nailed to the cross as her husband?

2- Do my children see me nailed to the cross as their father?

3- Do my friends, co-workers, and people in general see me nailed to the cross within our day to day interactions?

4- Most significantly, does God see me nailed to the cross alongside His Son...that place where I no longer live but Christ lives in me?