Give it All

"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus,

and turning to them he said:

'If anyone comes to me

and does not hate his father and mother,

his wife and children,

his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--

he cannot be my disciple.

And anyone who does not carry his cross

and follow me cannot be my disciple. . .

In the same way,

any of you who does not give up everything he has

cannot be my disciple.'"

Luke 14:25-27, 33

He loved God and followed His commands all of his life.  He spent much of his time studying God's law and putting it into practice.  He wanted so much to please God and live forever with Him.  When the man heard that Jesus the Messiah was close by, he took the chance to find out the answer to his question.

"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Jesus answered just how he expected; "Keep the commandments."

"Well, I've done that since I was a boy!"

Jesus knew this was a man who took His Father's law seriously.  "There is one more thing;  Give all you have away to the poor and come follow me."

He couldn't believe He would ask such a thing.  Give away all of His riches?  How foolish and risky that would be!  What would he and his family live on?  No. . .that is too much to ask.. . I just can't do it. (Mark 10:17-31)

It's easy to sympathize with the young rich ruler.  He had it all but he didn't live for his own comfort, as is so common to do.  Instead, he tried to live his life in a way that pleased God.  All he wanted was the assurance of God's acceptance of his offerings.  Unfortunately, he went away sad because Jesus asked for more than he was willing to give.  The young man wanted to please God only if it came on his own terms.  He would try to do his best for God, but only if he could decide the means he would use.

I am so like this young man.  My heart desires to please God, but there are certain places I won't go, specific things I won't give up, or particular people I want by my side.  If, however, I truly want to delight in the Lord, I must be prepared to give it all.

My Heart

Mother Teresa, a tireless servant of Jesus Christ who worked with the lowest of the low in the slums of Calcutta, India said, "A clean heart is a free heart.  A free heart can love Christ with an undivided love in chastity, convinced that nothing and nobody will separate it from his love."  This is how she was able to do the unthinkable: care for lepers, love the unlovable, nurse the hopeless.  Her heart was entirely devoted to Jesus, loving Him in the way she gave attention to the lost and suffering of this world.

When David prayed for God to, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me," (Psalm 51:10) he was committing himself back to the One he loved above all else.  He was throwing himself at God's mercy, knowing that He alone could rid him of all that distracts his heart from His true Love.  Only Jesus can capture my heart in such a way that my passion is for Him alone.

Many times, however, the trappings of this world, the worries that threaten to overtake me, or my inner drive to make a name for myself can take away from my One True Love.  How many times is my heart tainted with other than pure devotion to God?

What am I unwilling to give up for Jesus.  Which parts of my heart am I retaining for my own purposes and pleasure?  I could secretly want some recognition for the good things that I do.  Maybe it's hard for me to act selfishly, where there's no pay off for me.  It's likely that my heart is more devoted to my comfort than to following God's calling on my life.

Whatever I find to be the holdup, I must realize and accept that a pure heart is free from anything selfish that would keep me from following Jesus without hesitation.

If I want to delight the Lord, I will be ready to give my whole heart to Jesus.

My Mind

There are problems to solve, past conversations to analyze, blame to place, plans to make, work to perform, hurts to examine, revenge to plan and behavior to understand.  My mind is a battlefield, and if I want to have any chance of winning that fight, I will need to power of God to help me change the focus from me to Him.  

Even though there is much to capture the attention of my thoughts, it is possible to use my mind in a way that shows love and respect for God.  The Apostle Paul teaches me to focus my thoughts on things that will please God.  He says in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anythings is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

Virtuous and commendable thoughts are those that dwell on all the good that God is doing, not on all the problems and difficult circumstances that He allows for my good.  A friend of mine says that our words, spoken or thought, "create life or death.  Look at every problem as an opportunity for God to show Himself in ways unimaginable."  My life would change immensely if I viewed conflict or suffering as a way for God to display His mighty power instead of as a hardship.

Dwelling on the difficulties that come my way by asking myself Why does everything have to happen to me? or wondering, Great; what else can happen to make my life even worse than it already is? is counteractive to my faith in God.  Joyce Meyer talks about God's purposes for the hard things or difficult tasks He brings my way.  She said, "God doesn't tell you to do hard things so He can stand back and laugh and watch you struggle.  He tells you to do the things He knows are gonna work out to your good in the end." (Romans 8:28)  Keeping my mind focused on the good that will come out of the bad is pleasing to God.  

In addition, my thoughts not only can look negatively on my circumstances, but also on my own self.  When I think negatively about certain aspects of my character, I am tearing apart one of God's image-bearers: Me.  For instance, I have the habit of saying or thinking that I have a big mouth.  Thankfully, a friend of mine recently corrected my thinking.  She said, "You are assertive and can see the what needs to be done.  You speak up for others in a way that they cannot do for themselves."  When she put it like that, I instantly could feel myself sit up a bit straighter and my thinking began to turn more positive.  Putting myself down is not humility, it is showing a disregard for God's grand design.

No matter how strongly my thoughts naturally turn toward the negative, a mind dedicated to Jesus will be transformed into a mind that pleases God.

My Will

My will is defined by Merriam-Webster as, "a disposition to act according to principles or ends."  In other words, my will is what gives me the drive to make a decision.  This determination or resolve can work toward my favor and support my desires, or it can push me closer to Christ.  When my will yields to Christ, I will act in a way that pleases God.  When, however, my will is solely set on me and my wishes, then I'm only gratifying myself.

Thankfully, God is not a bully who breaks my will and forces me to obey Him.  He sends situations and hard times into my life to help me to see those parts of me of which I must let go in order to come to Jesus as I am, ready to let Him work through me.  Fear, worry, anxiety and doubt are obstacles that get in the way of my access to Him.  God, however, never gives up on me.  He compassionately and relentlessly pursues me with His persistent love, guiding me in the way I can go, if I will only choose.

Allowing God to have access to my life comes only with my blessing.  He will not force Himself upon me, but waits to be invited.  As Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 ESV, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

A closer relationship with Jesus that goes beyond a Savior/Saved association, must be initiated by me.  I must desire to make Him Lord of my life.  As Oswald Chambers explained regarding those things to keep me from giving Jesus lordship, "The Holy Spirit will locate the one impregnable thing in you, but He cannot budge it unless you are willing to let Him."

My will is the one thing that can get in the way of Jesus having full ownership of my life.  Sure, there are sin struggles, fleshly strongholds and other barriers; but all of those can be removed by Jesus.  I, however, must permit Him access to my life.

As strong as my will may be, it is only possible to please God is I am agreeable to give ultimate sovereignty over my life to Him.

Simply wanting to please God on my own terms is not enough.  I must be willing to give my whole heart to Jesus, dedicate my mind to thoughts that please Him, and give Him complete access to my life.  In these ways I will do what the eager, young rich ruler would not do: Follow Jesus.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my thought life turned toward the good things God is doing.

How does my heart betray my true focus?

When do I unintentionally set my will against God?

Let God Exalt

"'For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,

and he who humbles himself will be exalted.'

Then Jesus said to his host,

'When you give a luncheon or dinner,

do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives,

or your rich neighbors;

if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, 

the crippled, the lame, the blind,

and you will be blessed.

Although they cannot repay you,

you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.'"

Luke 14:11-14

As I rounded the corner, suddenly she loomed up in front of me, her beauty and majesty taking up my entire field of vision.  "I've missed Mt Rainier."  I sighed to my husband as I took in all 14,410 ft of her snow-covered splendor.  I grew up at the foot of this dormant volcano, seeing her spectacular beauty every day of my life.  Despite her magnificence, I took her presence for granted, not realizing how astonishing was her sight until I moved to the other side of the country where mountains are covered in trees and much less remarkable.

Just as God makes evident the majesty of His creation without ever needing the help of the created to toot her own horn, so I should let God be the one to do any exalting that needs to be done in my life.  The world tells me to let others know of my accomplishments, to be proud of who I am, to expect the best out of life and to give with the intention of receiving something in return, even if its just the good feeling that comes with helping others.

God's kingdom, however, operates under a different set of parameters.  His way teaches things that run counter to my fleshly way of thinking, as well as to what the world teaches.  Living life His way, however, is the only way to please Him.

The Proud

He was at the pinnacle of his career.  His empire spread to the far reaches of the known earth and everyone feared his name.  His building projects were infamous and innovative.  He spear-headed a venture to build a ten-mile wall to surround his city.  This fortification boasted enough room for two houses to stand face to face on top with enough space in between to drive a 4-horse chariot.  No one else could accomplish that but him, the mighty Nebuchadnezzar.

One day as he was walking among his famed hanging gardens on top of his palace, his chest puffed with pride as he surveyed his great city.  "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30)

Immediately, God set to work humbling the man, just as He promised He would do in a dream that so distressed Nebuchadnezzar a year before. Unfortunately, the king didn't take Daniel's advice to turn from his sinful and wicked ways, but continued living as he always had for the twelve months to come.

God has a way of humbling a man, as the once proud king said at the end of his 7-year time of insanity.  (Daniel 4:31-34)   For Nebuchadnezzar, it took a time acting like an animal and behaving in a way that would earn him a one-way-ticket to the insane asylum in this day and age.  What does it take for me?  

Perhaps God will need to take away my health to show me that a vigorous, well-working body comes from Him.  Maybe He'll place me in a position where I'm all alone as my family abandons me for greener pastures, teaching me that He is the only source who can fill my needs.  It could be that He will show me Who's really in charge by removing His favor from me as I watch my world crumble around me.

Whatever the method, God knows how to humble a man, or a woman for that matter. (Daniel 4:37) The question is, how will I respond?  Oswald Chambers describes the humbling process like this.  "You have had the vision, but you are not there yet by any means.  It is when we are in the valley,  where we prove whether we will be the choice ones, that most of us turn back.  We are not quite prepared for the blows which must come if we are going to be turned into the shape of the vision. The battering always come in commonplace ways and through commonplace people."

In order to please God I will need to let Him use whatever means necessary to humble me.

The Humble

They were certain of their own righteousness.  As they looked confidently up to heaven, they prayed in a loud and mighty voice, talking to God as if they had a right to stand at His feet.  'I am so thankful, Heavenly Father, that I am not like others who struggle with sins of all kinds.  I don't lie, cheat, steal, covet or kill.  I do what You ask me to do, tithing on a regular basis and never straying from your path.  I have reached a level of which many dream but never attain: I fast not once, but two times every week.  Thank you for making me so very good, Heavenly Father."

Meanwhile, in the back of the sanctuary stood a woman dressed in seductive clothing.  Many sneered at her, whispering to each other, "How dare she come here dressed like that."  She kept her eyes down, not daring to look up at the cross, feeling the weight of her sins.  As she crumpled to the ground in shame, her heart cried out to God.  "Help me, Father.  I know I don't deserve a thing, I've done so many bad things.  I need you, Jesus, please save me." (Luke 18:9-14)

Which of the two described above went home right with God?  The one who thought he already was good enough, or the one who acknowledged her depravity?  Jesus said the woman was the one who humbled herself before God and would thus be exalted by Him.

It reminds me of a college class in clay modeling that my daughters took as a part of their Illustration degree.  Before they could begin creating the form they had in their mind, they needed to get the clay to the consistency needed to make it malleable.  This involved wetting the clay and working it with their hands in order to warm it up.  If the clay became too dry, though, they had to let it sit in a bucket of water for a few days to re-hydrate it, otherwise it would be rigid, inflexible and unworkable.

This is like my heart.  If I already think I have things pretty well under control, my attitude is not compliant.  Before God can form me into the shape He has created me to take, I will need to become a malleable lump of clay, willing to let Him mold me.

In order to please God I will need to be humble enough to let Him transform my life for His glory.

Unpaid

When my daughters were in Middle School, I required them to perform community service as part of their homeschool curriculum.  They volunteered at the local library, shelving books, preparing new books for circulation, stamping cards and helping with special events.  Since they received no pay for this work, it helped them to learn that they didn't need a selfish motivation in order to do good things.  

Once they reached High School, then, it was not a surprise that they willingly helped run a free afterschool program from our home.  Their experience working without pay paved the way for a lifetime of willing service in God's kingdom.

There are many reasons I choose to do the things I do.  It could be that I feel guilty for some past or present sins and think I need to make up for that by doing extra good things in order to balance out the scale. There are times when I may feel bad about myself and helping others gives my feeling of well-being a boost.  Other times I could feel an obligation to volunteer in a ministry because that's what I know Christians are supposed to do.

These all seem like good reasons to my human, common-sense way of thinking.  Unfortunately, to God it looks like my heart is in the wrong place.  Whatever I do, my heart must lead out of a desire to obey God and please Him.  When I put myself into the equation, even to the tiniest degree, I'm tainting my motivation with selfish desires.

Instead, I want to make it my desire to store up for myself treasures in heaven by putting His kingdom first and placing my own desire for recognition, good feelings or brownie points to the side.  I guess Jesus said it best when He said, "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it.  It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding. . .Just do it--quietly and unobtrusively.  That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out."  (Matthew 6:1,4 MSG)

When my attitude is all about glorying God and obeying His calling on my life, I won't have time to worry about how it makes me look.  Instead, I'll be focused on how it makes my Father feel.

In order to please God I will need to be willing to work for nothing in order to later gain everything.

I find it natural and easy to walk in pride, trying to gain recognition for my work and to only do what gives me something in return.  As a member of God's kingdom, however, there is another way.  His way calls me to allow His humbling hand to mold me, His righteous mouth to do the praising, and my reward to come from Him when in eternity I stand in His presence.  As my attitude become more like that of Christ, His ways will start to become my ways.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will place myself in my loving Father's hands for refining.

When do I desire to toot my own horn instead of letting God do it in His time and a place of His choosing?

How do I seek payment now for what I'm doing for God?