Sometimes, God calls us to a life of abandonment.
Abandon - Forsaken or deserted.
This entire blog is based on those very feelings.
We have all felt abandoned, at times.
But there is more to this word; to this story.
Abandon - To leave completely and finally.
Or, how about these?
Abandoned - Uninhibited. Unrestricted. To yield without restraint or moderation.
These definitions sound better. Less intimidating.
As a matter of fact, this word seems to describe someone who is disciplined, who sees the big picture, who is willing to sacrifice self for the greater good of others.
I hope to be the type of person who can do this; to live a life of abandonment. Long past the intersections of pride and reputation, of wealth and mandatory schedules controlled by everyone else, there is a road that leads to a life of abandonment.
Perhaps this is what Jesus referred to in Luke 14:26 - "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple."
Surely, he never meant for us to hate anyone, especially not our brothers and sisters or the same father and mother he instructed us to honor.
No strings attached. That's what he asks of us. In order to fully live our lives for Christ, we must leave behind all that we were before. No holding on to our chains, or dragging them along behind us.
A youth pastor friend of ours says that when he agreed to try to reach teens for Christ, he gave over control of where God sends him to do that. He thought he was headed to Florida, but ended up in Detroit instead. Not because it was best for his family, but because that was where God needed him most.
The most inspirational and effective leaders are those who have learned to do this. To go where God sends them, with no strings attached.
If heaven is our destination, we don't much in this life. The only thing we can take to heaven with us is the people in our lives. Our relationships are what God needs in order to pull others toward him.
And most times, that journey starts alone; with a life of reckless abandon.
A life of freedom.
What has he asked you to leave behind?
This entire blog is based on those very feelings.
We have all felt abandoned, at times.
But there is more to this word; to this story.
Abandon - To leave completely and finally.
Or, how about these?
Abandoned - Uninhibited. Unrestricted. To yield without restraint or moderation.
These definitions sound better. Less intimidating.
As a matter of fact, this word seems to describe someone who is disciplined, who sees the big picture, who is willing to sacrifice self for the greater good of others.
I hope to be the type of person who can do this; to live a life of abandonment. Long past the intersections of pride and reputation, of wealth and mandatory schedules controlled by everyone else, there is a road that leads to a life of abandonment.
Perhaps this is what Jesus referred to in Luke 14:26 - "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple."
Surely, he never meant for us to hate anyone, especially not our brothers and sisters or the same father and mother he instructed us to honor.
No strings attached. That's what he asks of us. In order to fully live our lives for Christ, we must leave behind all that we were before. No holding on to our chains, or dragging them along behind us.
A youth pastor friend of ours says that when he agreed to try to reach teens for Christ, he gave over control of where God sends him to do that. He thought he was headed to Florida, but ended up in Detroit instead. Not because it was best for his family, but because that was where God needed him most.
The most inspirational and effective leaders are those who have learned to do this. To go where God sends them, with no strings attached.
If heaven is our destination, we don't much in this life. The only thing we can take to heaven with us is the people in our lives. Our relationships are what God needs in order to pull others toward him.
And most times, that journey starts alone; with a life of reckless abandon.
A life of freedom.
What has he asked you to leave behind?
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