“At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.’ He replied, ‘Go tell that fox, “I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.”’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!” Luke 13:31-33

Dear Jesus, They could not take from you something you had already given away. When you left heaven you gave away your life for ours. So, no threat from a puny earthly king could take over that gift. What freedom total self-abandonment brought for you. It made you immune to the anxieties people could cause you. I want that immunity too. I have spent way too many moments agonizing over the power people have to mess with my life. I will give myself to you and in service to all people I will dedicate myself to being their servant. How could they take from me what I have already given away? Help me walk in your steps and live a salutary life for others. I want to say with Paul, “I fill up in my body was lacking in the sufferings of Christ.” (Colossians 1). Walk with me today and teach me how to treat praise and threats as two twin impostures. Amen.

When you have given yourself away in love for God and people, no one can steal your peace or joy.