We begin our Lenten journey with what is perhaps the most difficult thing for us to give up...during Lent or otherwise...and that being giving up ourselves. To be sure, the Lord wants us to love ourselves and take care of ourselves and view ourselves as valuable creations of His almighty hand. But true Christianity is one of self-denial...more than that...one of dying to self and doing so on a daily basis that you may unhindered, follow Jesus wherever He wants you to go. As we begin our “Taking Up” sermon series, we begin by “Taking Up” what will cause us to truly live for Jesus in this world. As we give up ourselves, we find it easier to live for Jesus daily and follow Him! So today we remember that your Christian faith is one of “Taking Up Selflessness”.