Give up everything and follow me? But surely not everything thing….right?
(obvious paraphrasing)
What I have realized more and more each and every week as I start to prepare for the World Race(WR), is that we do have to give up everything for Christ. We should be able to give up our comforts which to often become our idols, our financial security, our easy living, our materialistic items. But the sad part is, I realized I have given up NOTHING so far with my walk with Christ. Sure I have turned from my old ways and I am walking in new life. But I haven’t sacrificed anything for Christ, not financially and certainly not materialistically.
Don’t get me wrong and take this to the extreme, God wants us to have these things and to live a joyous life. But sadly I have realized how much I have become dependent on these earthly things instead of God Himself. And so as I have been checking packing lists, how big my bag will be, and what I might have to give up, in order to go on the WR, I realize how much stuff has become my security. God didn’t call us to only give certain areas over to Him and keep the rest, nope not the case at all. As new creations in Christ, everything I have is His, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
For the WR I will have to actually give up everything, every comfort, every security, everything that is culturally acceptable here, everything that is materialistic, every family member and friend, and everything that makes me feel like I am home here on earth. And what will I receive in return? Freedom, liberty, total dependence on God, greater faith, courage, strength, passion, and joy. Yes, I will lose much going on the WR but what I gain far out weighs what I might lose. The price is nothing compared to the reward.
