Hmmm life needs to always be evaluated

Take up your cross and follow Jesus is something that I hear repeatedly in Christian circles. The prefix to this is we must deny ourselves. The NLT says give up all your selfish desires. As a parent and a husband I realize everyday how selfish I am. How I feel entitled to my down time, my sleep, and my fun. The question is what am I entitled to? I am not entitled to any of those things. I am entitled to be a servant of God and man. That is what I am entitled to. First of all do I serve God? I do vocationally, but do I do it as a lifestyle. I truly hope so, but I know I have a long way to go. I want to serve God with all that I am. I want to be used by Him. I want to take up my cross and follow Him. This summer I was challenged with the statement big change happens with small decisions. Am I making wise decisions that translate into me taking up my cross and denying myself? That is something I have to constantly be challenging myself with. The second part of this is, am I serving people? The people I like, it is easier to serve them. But God is calling me to serve even the people I do not like. Most times the only reason I do not like someone is because of some selfish reason. Which brings me back to the point, am I serving people by taking up my cross and following Jesus and denying my selfish desires? Hmmmm life needs to always be evaluated.