Luke 9:24 Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but Whoever Loses his life for me will save it…
I used to not like the sound of that…but the older I get it the more freeing it actually sounds! Whoever loses his life in Christ…you won’t just find new life but He says also in John 10:10, that He’s come that we may HAVE life and have it ABUNDANTLY…not just get by in life, not left with this “there’s gotta be more” feeling, but an abundant life...more than enough, beyond what you expected, more than you could’ve planned for yourself! I’ve got to believe that whatever I’m giving up is far less than what I will get in return! I believe it will be worth it!
I began praying a month ago or so, that whatever in my life might be hindering that next step I need to take with Him…to cut it off…whatever is serving no purpose in my life, whatever is taking up space where He has a better idea…whatever idea I think is just too good to lay down…whatever is pulling me in the wrong direction…to just cut it off! What’s really bearing fruit God and what’s just bearing down on me? I think we all have a few “whatever’s” in our lives. This can be a hard prayer because it may mean laying down things we were hoping to get to one day, laying down dreams we were trying to make happen, laying down things that were GOOD but really can’t compare to His BEST! He can do so much more with all these little things than we can…He who loses His life for my sake will find it...do you believe that?
All the teaching I've been hearing lately, the verses and songs stuck in my head, all seem to be in line with these same thoughts and truths right now. It leads me to believe that the Lord really wants us to hear this or at least He wants ME to hear this! But I think it's time we all "get" this…it’s time to LIVE this, it’s time for us as Christians to stop just blending in! This isn't just something written in His book, this ABUNDANT life was meant for YOU, was meant for ME! It's time more than ever to let go of past regrets & failures, past guilt, even past successes that we're trying to revive...It's time for the things of GOD...it’s time to let Him take over…time to awaken to His calling for you…time to focus on the direction he’s taking each of us…it’s Time for HIS plan, not our own! It’s time to take our rightful place in His kingdom! ROYALTY you are...sons and daughters of the Most High...and in knowing who you are may you display who HE is. To LIVE is CHRIST...to Die is gain!!!
Philippians 1:20-22 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
What will YOU choose?
Here's a song I wrote years ago & it just happened to go perfectly with this little writing. The words are also posted below.
"Will I Bow Down"
(verse 1)
Will I give, my life to this world,
Chase the American dream
Or Will I live, His dream for me
Let HIM be all I need.
The time is here, the time is now
I hear your quiet voice, asking me to lay it all down.
No time to think, no time for fear
If I live for you alone, suddenly the choices are clear. (chorus)
Will I bow down...give you all that I am
Will I bow down...surrender to your plan
Will I bow down, which way will I bow down?
(verse2)
Will I just keep to myself, say I don't have the time.
or will I take up your cross, choose the path few will find.
I feel you here, where do I start, you say just come with me, don't let this world take hold of your heart,
Times moving fast, faster than I know, let's make the most of it, knowing that this world is not our home! (repeat chorus)
(bridge)
day to day I make the choice,
to be of this world or hear his voice,
To lose my life that I might live.
When it comes down to the end,
On streets of gold and happiness,
Will I hear well done my faithful friend. (repeat chorus)
