My squad is currently at midpoint debrief on the coast and we’ve been taking this time to process and reflect on the past weeks and the ones to come. Sparing you all the details of the story, on Friday night the room I was staying in was robbed. Somehow, in the middle of the night, someone had climbed to our third story balcony, come into our room, and taken our phones, laptops, cash, two backpacks, and thankfully hurting no one. Waking up to this left me shaken and unsure of how to feel, but I spent the morning just taking all of it to the foot of the throne and asking God to be with the people who felt the need to steal from us to provide for themselves, to be with our squad, and ultimately that in some way He would be glorified in this. I didn’t understand how that was possible, but I kept thinking of the song lyrics that say “You take what the enemy meant for evil and You turn it for good.”
The next morning, I woke up and saw The Pursuit of God, a book I had stuck in my backpack and forgotten about, sitting in the pile of things left behind, even though it had been in the bag of mine that was taken. I felt a pull to begin reading it, and quickly came to a chapter titled, “The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing.” Upon finishing that chapter, I suddenly found myself vigorously and excitedly journaling in all caps something I would never have imagined… the words, “THANK YOU, GOD, FOR LETTING THEM COME AND STEAL MY POSSESSIONS – MY HEART AND SOUL INSIDE MY BODY ARE REJOICING AND DANCING AS I WRITE THIS! I HAVE IN FACT LOST NOTHING AT ALL, BUT GAINED EVERYTHING!” It was then that I knew God was wanting to teach me how to possess nothing, yet have everything. It takes sincere surrender and utter obedience, but through His gentle goodness in this, I am learning to be satisfied in Him alone.
Has this experience been hard, sad, and slightly traumatizing? Yes, absolutely. Does my heart ache and break for the people who came and took our belongings? Yep, that too. But can I see the glory of the Lord in this situation? You bet I can. The real treasures of life are inward and eternal, and I am learning to have everything, but possess nothing. Anything that I have is a gift from above and can be taken at any moment, it’s just my job to turn to the Lord and glorify Him in my response.
I want to ask you something as I close: do you consider the things you have, things you deserve? Is there anything or anyone on the throne of your heart that isn’t the Lord? Consider the story of Abraham and Issac, when God asked for Abraham’s beloved son to be given as a sacrifice. God’s intent wasn’t to harm either of them, but to take His rightful place as the most important One in each of their lives, and get to fulfill His promise to provide. What are you afraid that the Lord won’t provide? Are you holding onto it? Maybe it’s time to let go and allow Him to take it all away, because we lack nothing if all we have is God.
I invite those of you that are willing to pray with me, “Abba, I want to know You, but my cowardly heart is afraid to give up the things and people I love. I come to You trembling, but I do come, nonetheless. Remind me that everything is safe which I commit to You, for You are a God who saves and provides. Teach me to be satisfied in You, alone. Thank You for being my good shepherd, that in You I lack nothing. If more of you means less of me, take everything. I love you with all that I am, Your Beloved.” “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13
