"The true test of love for Christ is seeing the emptiness of your own greatest opportunity and dropping every selfish dream to become His prisoner.”
Rebekah added her thoughts:
"I’ve had too many greatest opportunities show up at the doorstep of my heart lately. There have been too many selfish dreams that vied for first place in my affections. And to be perfectly honest, it hurts to be handcuffed right now. I don’t mean hurt as in a tiny little sad place in the midst of my heart; I mean hurt as in big salty tears and snot... Jesus can be a hard Master and sometimes I’d like nothing better than to simply indulge myself in the things I want to do. But He says no."
I share that because, honestly, I could have written it myself. There are many times I can totally relate to what she's describing. But I love how that Wilkerson quote describes what we're called to do... "seeing the emptiness of your own greatest opportunity and dropping every selfish dream to become His prisoner." It's not always pretty or pleasant... but I choose to believe that it will be worth it.
Last Sunday at church, the message was about Mary, and how she chose to sacrifice so much in order to say yes to God. She gave up her reputation, and her own plans and dreams for her future, and surrendered to what God wanted. She became a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1).
What will it require for me -- and for you -- to say to God, "I am the bondservant of the Lord, may it be unto me as you say"?
"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God; this is your spiritual service of worship." Romans 12:1
His ways are not our ways...and His ways are so much better, even though there's definitely times I'd love to argue the point!
ReplyDeleteHis plans are beyond anything we could think or imagine... Thanks for the reminder, Ashley. I needed it. These days I need to hear it several times an hour. haha