I Have to Give Up WHAT?!?
Posted in following Jesus, Patty's Posts, self-denial 1 comments
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23).
In Kyle Idleman's book Not A Fan, Idleman masterfully distinguishes between what it looks like to truly be a follower of Jesus, and what it looks like to merely be a fan -- you know, one of those who yelled "Hosanna!" when Jesus came to Jerusalem, but made a zillion excuses why they couldn't actually follow Him. The rich young ruler is a stellar example. He thought he wanted to follow Jesus -- until Jesus told him to sell all that he owned.
Yes, Jesus is loving and merciful. He is also jealous, and will not accept devotion that is shared with anyone or anything else. Being serious about following Him might mean:
- doing away with preconceived notions of what it means to be a Christian
- putting sports, TV, video games or Facebook aside to pursue Him more wholeheartedly
- living on one income, rather than putting your children in daycare
- choosing to de-clutter and get by with less, for the sake of giving to those less fortunate
- forgiving someone you don't think deserves to be forgiven
- being available to God 24/7 when He calls you to minister to someone in need
- starting to tithe, when you have always thought you couldn't afford to
- becoming involved in a small group at your church, so you can be an active part of the body of believers
- being an unpopular parent. For example, teaching your daughter about modesty and purity, instead of allowing her to dress provocatively just because "all the other girls are doing it." Especially in this day of rampant pornography and sexual deviation, girls need to be taught that godly women don't expose parts of their body that are meant to be seen only by their future spouse.
Though nothing is inherently wrong with any of these things (as nothing was wrong with the rich young ruler's possessions), we need to examine our hearts to see what kind of hold they may have on our lives. Are we sacrificing our children on the altar of convenience, choosing to put them in daycare because we are unwilling to cut back on our own pleasures? Are we ignoring the voices of the poor and needy because we just couldn't resist that Coach handbag? Are we deaf and blind to needs in our own neighborhood because TV consumes our free time?
When we sensed God calling us to simplify our lives, my husband and I asked God to show us the changes He wanted us to make. Though the decisions were not easy ones to make, de-cluttering for us meant donating a lot of clothing, shoes, books and music. It meant cancelling our satellite TV so that more money would be freed up to give to ministries. Interestingly, when we didn't renew our satellite TV contract, the Lord began sending us people in need. Young couples in need of marriage counseling or simply spiritual mentoring. Addicts who want to be free from bondage. Women in need of abortion recovery.
Be aware, though, that when you become serious about following Jesus, not everyone will be thrilled about it. In his book, Idleman mentions several instances where well-meaning family members tried to discourage a Christ-follower by "reminding" them that the Bible encourages "moderation in all things." Moderation in THINGS, yes. Moderation in following Jesus? No way. He is clear that His way is narrow. He wants more than 90 minutes on a Sunday morning. He demands our ALL. Are we ready to give it?
1 comments:
I loved Idleman's book and appreciate your message here. Our culture is so self-absorbed, comfort-oriented that we often think that our Christianity should look that way as well.
But I want to offer a word of caution to others who may be where I was - when you begin to feel that nudge that certain things need to "go" and that God may be asking you to sacrifice something in favor of time with Him, keep your eyes firmly on the sacrifice Christ made for you first. It puts your own sacrifices firmly into perspective (Jesus gave up his life, but I can't seem to turn off the TV - really???) and it will help to keep you humble. It is so important that we as believers hear and read messages like this one that encourage us to get serious about our lives as Christ-followers. It is also imperative that we maintain our humility and avoid the temptation of Spiritual Comparison.
For a time I found myself extremely frustrated by others' disinterest or even refusal to make lifestyle changes that would allow them a deeper relationship with Christ. But the problem was that I began to feel a little pleased with myself over the changes that I'd made in that regard. After all, I didn't have cable TV or a clue as to the plotline of many hit TV shows. My 9-year-old car was the symbol of my determination to live on less in order to be a stay at home mom and my home-done pedicures a badge of our commitment to tithe no matter how our income might shrink. I began to realize that I was focusing a lot on what I'd given up, and how pleased I was with myself for doing so. Yes, I was giving my time to Jesus, but too much of my focus was still on me. I began to see some uncomfortable similarities between myself and the Pharisee in the temple (Luke 18). "Thank you Lord that I've given up these idle (and at times idol!) time-wasters in favor of time with you. Thank you that I have the strength to turn off the TV and close the computer and open your Word, God. Thank you that I'm a woman who will pray rather than post to Facebook and read your Word rather than waste hours playing on the latest gaming console."
Gag.
The things I'd eliminated in my life were good. Those things needed to be pulled out because they WERE taking me away from Jesus. But to be prideful that I was doing what God was asking me to do? Ridiculous. Truth is, I don't have the strength to walk away from most of those things on my own. I have to depend on the Holy Spirit to do so. And I needed to spend less time comparing my choices to those of other believers. Do they need to know the truth about the importance of time with the Lord? Yes. Absolutely. Does this message need to be passed on? Yes, most definitely. My problem was that I felt so good about doing it and better than those who weren't. I've learned, by the grace of God, to recognize that I don't know where other people are in their walk. I don't know what other tough issues God is walking those people through. I don't honestly know if He's asking them to give up those things...yet. And if I sense that He is and I have permission to speak into their lives, then I pray for wisdom and grace that I might do so with love and encouragement rather than condemnation.
Maybe other people have navigated this better than I, but for me I find that pride is always behind the door, ready to pounce wherever it can. I have to be very careful, and I can't imagine that there aren't others out there who struggle with this as well. I thought this an important warning. The glory always goes to God. When I become more devoted to Him and less to the world's entertainment, it is NOT because of how strong and self-controlled I am, but because of how Almighty and Glorious God is!
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