The world shouts loud: *"Love yourself. Grab what you can. Follow your heart."* It's preached in every ad, echoed in every influencer, baked into every dream of success and comfort. But the message of Jesus couldn’t be more opposite. He calls for denial of self, not celebration of it. He says, *“Take up your cross.”* That’s not a metaphor for inconvenience—it’s a call to die to everything the world promises.

And here’s the mystery: that’s where life is actually found. Not in chasing affirmation, but in losing everything for the sake of something eternal. The world says, “Build yourself up.” Jesus says, “Lay yourself down.” These aren’t different paths to the same place. They’re opposing kingdoms. One is temporary. The other never ends.

Excerpt from “What Do You Treasure? (Pt. 1)” on the Crazy Love Podcast and YouTube channel.

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