There is an art of self denial, for service to The Lord, that goes beyond dying to self and overcoming the flesh. There may be things that you absolutely have a right to want and expect, that you will have to deny yourself of in order to serve The Lord to your fullest potential.
It isn't a science, meaning strict rules and parameters, but an art, learning to use the unique gifts and spiritual talents The Lord has given us, to deny ourselves and serve Him powerfully and in a way no one else can.
You are made uniquely glorious in Him. A New Creation, like nothing that this world has ever seen. So don't fret over what you may have to offer up as a sacrifice to Him, rejoice that He always responds to that sacrifice with new vision and ability.
Only the Master Creator of all things knows fully what He is creating in this world and what part you play in the Master Design He created before the foundations of the world.
He is the only Creator that paid all to have a personal relationship with His Creation. He stepped into His creation, became one with His creation, shed His Blood for His creation, was crucified for His creation and defeated death for His Creation.
The art of self denial is simply learning to flow with His brush and live by His Spirit. Not in a white knuckle way of denying the pulls of the flesh and life, but simply joining The Lord in His plan to reveal to The World, seen and unseen, His Glory, His Love, His Power and His Sons and Daughters.
Thank You LORD! For Loving us before we ever loved you!!
art:
: something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings
: works created by artists : paintings, sculptures, etc., that are created to be beautiful or to express important ideas or feelings