Days 8, 9 and 10 were about getting lost in God's story, His sacrifice and His proposal. There is so much I could say about each of these days, but I will just share what God has me focused on right now- sacrifice. Now God sacrificed His Son to save us from our sins because He loved us so much. There is no greater sacrifice. Jesus tells us in John 15:12-13 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
God calls us to sacrifice. Matthew 16:24-25 says "Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Yikes! That is a pretty heavy command. In order to follow Jesus, we have to lose our lives. It is not for the faint of heart. True sacrifice costs a lot, but God calls us to carry the cross of self-denial. That is what agape love is - self-sacrifice.
I have learned that I must be willing to sacrifice my hopes and dreams to God. Not just my dream about marriage and a family, but ALL of my hopes and ALL of my dreams. God wants it ALL. He doesn't want just part of us. He loves me so much He wants all of me (and you). Sacrifices can be anything-anything that takes the place in your heart where God should be, or something or someone you think you cannot live without. Dannah defines sacrifice as "Giving Him everything, when it feels like nothing is left."
That is just part of the story though-because when we sacrifice and lay ourselves down at God's feet, God is ready and waiting to give us everything we need to do His will- to be His hands and His feet, to show His love, to shine for Him. When we sacrifice our desires, His desires become our desires. His will becomes our will. You will be completely lost in Him and trust me, there is no place you would rather be!
Are you ready to get lost in God completely? I challenge you to read this book "Get Lost" by Dannah Gresh and you will find yourself on an amazing journey feasting on God's amazing love for you!
Linking with Titus 2 Tuesday
Krystle: I got a glimpse of the abandonment and sacrifice you are describing in the person of a dear friend recently. I have known her for ten years, her last ten, and with each passing year, her comfort and situation declined. Before any of this, when she was still relatively healthy and comfortable, I knew her to be a woman of great faith and nearly constant prayer but it was only in these last times that I saw just what strong faith and unquestioning obedience will bring. It is more than love, it is unshakeable confidence that whatever God brings is for our benefit, no matter what it looks like. I loved my friend and although we lost her physical company in April, the lessons she taught me are with me every day. Live what you wrote and you will know them, too.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss! This amazing woman of God is now dancing with her Savior-the thought alone makes my heart rejoice and I did not even know her. She lived the kind of life that I want to live- in complete surrender and obedience to Christ no matter what He asks. Thank you for your encouragement and for sharing your friends story!
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