“I have one desire now- to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.” – Elisabeth Elliot
the first time i heard the expression, “reckless abandon,” i was hooked. it completely captivated me. something in my soul knew that was how i wanted to live. my own twisty, winding journey to this place of “reckless abandon” is in progress. i doubt my own capabilities. i look at all the huge mountains i have to cross. i compare my own journey to others. but He has every concern of my day-to-day life covered. relying on that makes this place of “reckless abandon” reachable.
to live with “reckless abandon” for God, you have to abandon your own plans and dreams. oftentimes it is easy to chart your life’s course with goals that our society has deemed necessary: a stable home, nice clothes, fancy meals, a successful career, and so on. i definitely fell into that trap telling myself, “well everyone else is going to college i should to.” but a worldly successful life is a trap in a recklessly abandoned life.
when i read about men like abraham and joshua or women like ruth and mary, i am reminded that reckless abandon is not new. its called strangers into strange lands, knocked down walls, called people to up and leave their homes. reckless abandon is what God has called His children to from the very moment He breathed life into them. it is fellowship with Him at the cost of all else, intimacy with Him that we make priority, love for Him the trumps all other love.
this phrase is the reason i am going on the trip. to love Him with “reckless abandon,” giving him my whole heart, my undivided attention, and holding nothing back.
i am far from having it figured out, but the closer i draw near to God’s heart, the more i’m stirred up to make some changes. he has called us to higher & greater- it’s time to step out boldly into that call. i encourage you to live your life with this same “reckless abandon.”
with love, ana
