Deny

Welcome to this guided meditation, inspired by Mark 8:31-38. Let us take a moment to center ourselves and prepare our hearts and minds for this sacred journey. As we begin, find a comfortable position. Take a deep breath in, allowing your lungs to fill with air, and exhale slowly, releasing any tension or worries from your body.

Focus your attention on the scripture:
31 Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes and be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
34 He called the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”*
 
The word "deny" can evoke various emotions and interpretations. In the context of our meditation today, let us reflect on what it means to deny ourselves in order to follow Christ more closely. Denying ourselves does not mean denying our worth or value as beloved children of God. Denying ourselves means refraining from satisfying selfish desires, when those desires only serve ourselves. We give in to things that don’t satisfy our hungers. We try to rely on ourselves to satisfy our hungers.

Following Jesus is a life of service to God and others. Denying ourselves invites us to let go of our selfish desires, our ego-driven ambitions, and our attachments to worldly possessions in order to focus on living a life of service.
 
Take a moment to consider what you may need to let go of in order to fully embrace the way of Jesus. Is it a habit that no longer serves you? Is it a grudge or resentment that weighs heavily on your heart? Is it the pursuit of material wealth or status?
 
As you reflect on these questions, remember that Jesus invites us into a life of freedom and abundance, not scarcity and deprivation. When we deny ourselves, we make room for God's grace to flow more freely in our lives. Let us take a moment now to silently offer our intentions to God, surrendering whatever it is that we need to release in order to follow Christ more fully.

With each breath, imagine yourself letting go of anything that hinders your journey of faith. Feel the weight lifting from your shoulders as you surrender to God's dream for your life. As we conclude this meditation, may we carry the wisdom of Jesus' words with us, seeking to deny ourselves daily and follow him with courage and humility. Grace and Peace be with you on your journey of faith.
 
* New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.