Meditation: Self-denial

"The self is given to us that we may sacrifice it: it is ours, that we, like Christ, may have somewhat to offer    not that we should torment it, but that we should deny it; not that we should cross it, but that we should abandon it utterly: then it can no more be vexed.  What can this mean? We are not to thwart, but to abandon?  It means this: we must refuse, abandon, deny self altogether as a ruling, or determining, or originating element in us.  It is to be no longer the regent of our action.  We are no more to think, "What should I like to do?" but "What would the Living One have me do?"

- George MacDonald - George MacDonald: An Anthology of 365 Readings edited by C.S. Lewis