“Withholding Nothing”
Its a song I first heard in Uganda several years back, but I feel like this phrase really resonates in my spirit these days.
Hi! So three weeks into the process and WOW….this is a lot of work! I’m cleaning out and up my house to rent. I’m getting rid of unnecessary stuff…cleaning….. (did you know that dirt collects in the crevices of baseboards and molding? It’s like my eyes have been opened to a whole new world of places to clean….)
I went through a few days of doubt…..and I got CRAZY overwhelmed! God fixed that….as He does with all things when we align ourselves with Him and spend time with Him. He already said all this stuff is going to happen……and when I start to try to take control is only when I start to feel overwhelmed. Peter, meet water.
I don’t know why I even worry….everything that needs to fall into place….IS! And even better than I could have manufactured myself.
There have been two themes lately that I’d like to flesh out here on “paper”. Something that has come up in every sermon I’ve watched, ideas I’m met with when I take quiet time.
The calling can become an idol. The ministry, can become an idol. Michael Koulianos said in a sermon I saw recently: “anything done OUTSIDE of the presence of God can become an idol”.
I’m reminded of Abraham, and Isaac. Isaac was the PROMISE. The century old promise. Who I’m sure….Abraham was pretty fond of. In the waiting, Sarah decided to take control herself….and that didn’t end up great. Or, AS great as it could have. A child, a manufactured, ‘less than’ promise. God delivered Isaac, in His own time, building character and faith in Abraham, and intimacy in the relationship between Abraham and Himself. But once that promise was delivered, God tested Abraham’s heart by asking for Isaac back. I can’t imagine that walk up to the altar was an easy one for Abraham.
It is not enough to have the “heart” to obey. Obedience is key. It is not enough to be “willing to do the right thing”. Actually doing the right thing is important. Lots of people talk….lots of good people have good intentions. But until there is ACTION, all the intention of the heart has no bearing. James said “faith without works, is dead.” Look here, in James 2:14-22.
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.”
And I literally laughed out loud just now. I just pulled the first part of that verse from my memory…but reading on in the scripture James himself mentions Abraham. WOW OKAY GOD.
Let NOT my calling become an idol. Never let the blessings I have received become idols. Let me never place anything above the Lord. ANYTHING.
Let me love not my life, unto death.
I don’t want any of it if He’s not here. If I’m not aligning myself with the Spirit, each and every moment.
Everything He has given me, is His. He has a right to take it back any time. I am willing God, to give it all back. Withholding Nothing.
Revelation 12:11 “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
until next time
~xo
What I’m Reading: Luke 8:26-38 / Luke
What I’m listening to: Isla Vista Worship Presents Ryan Ellis, Live from Upper Room II
What I’m Watching: Todd White: Are You Hungry?
