not so natural

In my last post I attempted to sort out the differences between aspects of life being "easy" and "natural" in following Jesus. I'm realizing more, however, how unnatural following Christ can be as well. Yes, we're made in the image of God, and he created us to worship something (and the only thing that will give us fulfillment in that worship is God). But there are so many unnatural things about it as well. I've been wondering why it's not okay to give into every whim and desire we have as people--aren't they "natural?" Why is it not a good thing when people only follow their instincts, if they are God-given? The fact is that not all of them are. Because we are imperfect people, we perverse the things of God and change them into something that does not glorify him and can cause pain to others. Rather than acting in accordance with the way he formed us, we act the "natural" way of the flesh, which is actually opposite of God. We have this nasty thing called sin that confuses us into thinking that certain things that seem natural and good are actually destructive. People give into natural feelings and reactions all the time, and look around: We are surrounded by greed, hatred, mistrust, abuse, affairs, and death, none of which are representative of the God of the Bible. What if people were to choose not to give into their natural (sinful) desires? What if we would deny ourselves certain things for the betterment of others? What if we would choose the road less traveled that feels pretty unnatural because we know that in doing so we'd have something much better, more lasting, eternal even?

Then [Jesus] said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" ~Luke 9:23-25