12/09/2023
Have you given up everything you are to Jesus Christ? It is easy to lay down the sin, and bad things in our lives, but have you also laid down the good? Abandoning those things that we naturally identify as good is the most profound test of our faith. Being able to leave behind anything that is contrary in order to immerse ourselves in God’s will for us is the epitome of faithfulness and obedience.
“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Galatians 5:24 ESV
I think of certain saints as an example this morning, but one in particular comes to my mind. Mother Teresa, or you might know her as saint Teresa of Calcutta, she is someone who answered the call of Christ and left not only the sin and wrongful things in her life behind, but the good and comfortable as well. At 18 she left her mother and sister in Macedonia to become a nun, and never saw them again. As a missionary nun she lived in Ireland and then India, but God had plans for her that extended far beyond the somewhat comfortable walls of the convent. She left even that meager life to live in the slums of Calcutta, and dedicated her life to answering God’s will for her there, and in other slums around the world. God did amazing things by using her willingness to surrender herself completely. This is what Jesus was calling the rich young ruler to do in Matthew 19.
“Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Matthew 19:21-22 ESV
Sometimes God requires us to do hard things in order for us to perform His will. He doesn’t ask us to abandon things in our lives just to see if we will do so... He asks us to leave behind those things that are stumbling blocks as we execute his greater plan and will for us. Certainly, there will be some who are asked to leave everything like Mother Teresa, and the rich young ruler, but for most of us the ask will be much smaller. What we are asked to surrender depends on what God has planned for us, and the effect that that thing has on our accomplishing it, but we should always be prepared to surrender everything if He should ask that of us.
Oswald Chambers wrote about the difficulty in giving up those things that are good and not prohibited by God’s Word. Let’s read what he had to say...
“It is not a question of giving up sin, but of giving up my right to myself, my natural independence and self-assertiveness, and this is where the battle has to be fought. It is the things that are right and noble and good from the natural standpoint that keep us back from God’s best.” - Oswald Chambers
I have watched several episodes of a television show called “Undercover Boss.” In this reality show the head of a corporation would disguise him or herself and work a job in the lowest levels of their company. What happened when they did this was that it showed them not only the good and bad of their business processes, but the good and bad of their employees. The insight this provided was priceless. I have often wondered what would happen if this was lived out at a spiritual level.
What would happen if you were a wealthy owner of a large business and God called you to sell it, and to take a lowly job in that selfsame company? Could you do it? Could you go to work in a menial capacity in a company you started and built to greatness because God asked you to? We are not privy to where the will of God is ultimately taking us so you would have no idea what He had in store for you if He said “Sell it, give the proceeds to charity, and take a job mopping floors.” However, that is exactly what we should be prepared to do. We should have enough faith and trust to know that God’s plan for us will bring about His best in our lives... and the lives of others.
I have had a similar experience in my career, but at a lesser level. However, what I thought was God’s plan for me when I left a higher level job to do a lesser one, turned out to be much smaller than what He actually had in mind. The work He had prepared for me to do for His Kingdom was much more far reaching than I ever anticipated. Souls were saved, prayers were offered for the sick and suffering, and the overall workings of my company were impacted by Him through me... and the story is not over.
When God speaks and asks that you obey Him in some fashion... do it! Make certain that the voice you are hearing is His, and then obey. The blessing will be immense, and the impact on the Kingdom of God will be profound. You see... we seem to think that a president, a CEO, or a manager, is more important, powerful, or worthy than we are, but in God’s eyes they are often no better than dressed up vagrants with a misdirected sense of self-worth. If they are not doing God’s will, then they are doing nothing that will last more than the few years they are employed, or alive. Make your life here count... believe in Jesus Christ, and answer God’s desire for you as He directs. This is the way we find our way to His peace, joy, a fullness of faith, and eternity in His presence.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for showing me what in my life is important in your eyes. Thank you for placing me exactly where you would have me be so that I might serve your will perfectly. If you had spoken to me and said “I will make you wealthy and powerful” I know that it would have been for your purposes and not my own glory. As it is, you have chosen a job for me that is exactly what you would have me do, and in my case has a greater impact in heaven. I thank you Holy Father for the lives I touch each day, and the roads I make straight. Help me to serve you with each breath I take, and bless me with those gifts of the spirit that are necessary, and that I will need, to do your will to its fullest. Let me judge my days not by whether I have done my best, but whether I have done yours. Praised be your name Father for you are great and good in all things, large and small. Some might, or might not, profit me, but if I do your will as asked, all will glorify you.
Rich Forbes