Rediscovering Christ: Seeing Beyond Progressive and Conservative Lenses (Part 3)

Losing Your Life…and Finding Something Better

One of the most challenging things Jesus ever said is, “Whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” He also said, “Your body is not your own.” For many people, these teachings sound harsh or even controlling. A lot of us were taught them in fear based ways, give up control or else, obey or face the consequences. (more on that toxic message here)

But Jesus was not threatening people.
He was inviting them into freedom.

When Jesus talks about “losing your life,” He is not trying to shrink you or shut you down. He is inviting you into a way of living where you no longer carry the crushing weight of being your own master, savior, defender, and source of truth. The consequence of giving your life to Jesus is not hell. It is heaven breaking into your story. Emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes even physically. This does not mean life becomes perfect. It means your life becomes held.

When “My Body, My Choice” Becomes a Cage

Our world, both progressive and conservative, has its own version of “my body, my choice.”
It simply shows up in different areas of life.

Progressives often use it around abortion, bodily autonomy, and personal identity.
Conservatives often use it around vaccines, gun rights, and stand your ground laws.

Both sides preach a message of self ownership.
Both say, in their own way, “No one can tell me what to do with my body or my life.”

It sounds empowering.
It is actually exhausting.

If I am the final authority on everything about me, then all the responsibility is on me too.
I have to define myself, defend myself, explain myself, prove myself, heal myself, secure myself, and save myself.

That is a lonely and anxiety filled place to live. And as someone who is fiercely independent, struggled with autonomy, questions authority and institutions, desires constant control, and struggles with chronic anxiety…I know the shadows of this approach. 

The Way of Jesus Is Nuanced and Freeing

Jesus does not call us into a tight, rigid box like many religious systems have done. He does not draw hard boundary lines the way our political tribes do either. Progressives and conservatives often double down on their borders, saying, “Here is who we are, here is who we are not, do not cross the line.”

Jesus offers something completely different, a centered set life. (More on bounded set vs. centered set here)

In a centered set life, Jesus is the center, and we keep moving toward Him. The journey is never finished. You are “in” not because you checked the correct boxes, but because your eyes are on Him. 

Following Jesus is not about having the perfect body, the perfect behavior, or the perfect beliefs. It is about allowing Him to lead you into healing, piece by piece, step by step.

Here is the quiet truth.
When your body and your life no longer belong only to you, you do not become smaller. You finally breathe. You start trusting instead of clutching. You start resting instead of performing. You start healing instead of hiding.

Heaven Starts to Break In

This is not the prosperity gospel.
This is not “follow Jesus and your life will go great.”

It is something much deeper.

When you entrust your life and body to Jesus, heaven begins to work its way into your emotions, your relationships, your identity, and your choices. You begin to notice patterns in yourself loosening. You begin to see people differently. You begin to become more whole.

You lose the life that was built on fear, pressure, and self protection.
And you find a life that is rooted in presence, grace, and rest.

Letting Go to Be Held

Our culture keeps telling us we must be the captain of our own soul. It sounds brave. It is also a heavy burden. Jesus offers another way, a way centered not on control, but on connection.

A way where your body is no longer a battlefield, your identity is no longer a project, your life is no longer something to defend at all costs, you can surrender without losing yourself, and you can trust without being afraid.

This is the good news.
You do not have to be your own center anymore.
Jesus already is.
And in His kingdom, losing your life does not destroy you.
It frees you.
It heals you.
It helps heaven break through.