Give it up
Anyone who does not give up everything he has, cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:33)
I’m reading a book titled “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. It’s a great book. I have loved it’s “refocusing” nature, and how I am reminded of God’s love for me.
Laura, the girls, and I stayed with my sister-in-law last night on our way to Oklahoma to see my brother and his family for a few days. Ansley slept in our room, so if she cried, we would hear her (at least Laura would). I was woken up at 5:30 by my beautiful bride, tossing around in hopes to stir me, so I would get a bottle (she will probably refute this–but it is true). So now, it is very early, and I am awake. Betsy was leaving at 6:45, so I got up to have some coffee and chat with her a bit. While she was getting ready, I opened up my book, and read a little. Then I picked up my Bible and read a bit in there. The I put them both down, because I decided that it was too early to be reading this stuff.
I happened to be reading the section from Luke that I quoted above, and the chapter in the book I was reading was “Serving Leftovers to a Holy God”. What an insane Monday morning read. It wasn’t what I was ready for at all, but it depicts me. I read the scripture from Luke and say, “That’s right…preach it Jesus”, but then I really think about what Jesus is saying. If we don’t give up everything to HIM, we are not HIS.
Ummmm, hold up there Jesus. You’re talking about the people who aren’t baptized believers right? Surely squeezing in Bible reading and prayer a few times a week is good right? I mean, You just came and gave yourself to suffering for me, the least I can do is try to read a chapter a day.
Our time with God is whatever we can squeeze in, or even while we’re doing something else. God literally gets my leftovers. If I have a friend that I want to spend time with, I will let Laura know, so I can have a bit of time to be with him, but the time I spend with God is a second thought. I will take off work to have a “guys weekend”, but have never thought to have a “God weekend”. God is worth more than our extra time, and I fear what God will do when He sees me NOT giving everything. Will I not be his disciple? Am I not His disciple now? I know I haven’t given up everything, so I guess there’s really no question.
Time for me to change, because I know where God stands.
October 21, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Very thought provoking. Alan and I just taught children’s worship on Cain and Abel and I was struck once again as to what happened to Cain’s heart when he gave God his second-best. Yes, very challenging also.
October 21, 2008 at 8:36 pm
I loved coffee with you even if it was b/c of Laura’s not so subtle stirring.
October 23, 2008 at 6:05 am
Leftovers. An interesting concept religiously. I hear it a lot; I believe it a lot less.
“Husbands, love your wives…”
You get a sitter for the kids without your wife knowing it, take her to dinner, someplace special. Love displayed.
You pick up the house, clean up the garage, wash the dishes or the clothes. Love displayed.
You walk up quietly behind her as she is busy with whatever and give her a little peck on the neck. Love displayed.
Those are not leftovers offered to God, but ways we honor God by loving our wives.
“Do good to all men…”
You encounter a troubled soul and sit quietly while they vent. Doing good manifested.
A mother you know (or don’t know) with little ones has a basket full of groceries trying to get them into her car in the rain. You offer to help. You may get refused, or not. Doing good manifested.
These are not leftovers, these are ways we honor God by doing good to others.
Too often “leftovers” are placed in the realm of too little time to study, to read, to pray. But devotion to God is so much more how we manifest God to the world around us rather than minutes logged in “devotion” time. No, this is not an excuse to minimize quiet time with God, but life is for living the godly life before others so that they may glorify God.
October 23, 2008 at 10:17 am
I couldn’t agree with you more Dave. The examples you expressed were about our thoughts and actions of love taking precedent over what we “have to get done”.
Our devotion and love for God is displayed by how we live, not JUST our quiet time. Our lives are a worship, not just our alone time. I “mis-typed” when I spoke only of time. Our thoughts are in the same place.
October 29, 2008 at 8:43 am
That’s right…..preach it Pick!