Last month I posed a struggle that I have been going through with the verses in the Bible that talk about having to hate your mother, father, brother, sister, or children in order to be a disciple of God. My friend Terp gave me the book, "Anything" by Jennie Allen for my birthday and I have just started reading it. So far it has been really good and today, I read a really good thought from her about those verses.
It reads;
"We know from Jesus' strong commands to love even our enemies that he is not advocating neglecting our relationships or those who depend on us (Luke 6:27) He is saying, 'Wake up! This pursuit of me , it may cost you everything you hold dear, everything you love here. It may cost even your life. And until that life gets small, really small, and I get big, really big, you won't truly follow me. Because loving this life too much will affect your love for me. It also will affect what you are willing to do for me.'"
When I stop and reflect on those words and the thought of not holding my family too tightly, not holding my things too tightly, being willing to give up the things I hold dear and the comforts of living in a first world so that I can put my trust and faith in God. Living completely sold out for Jesus, I cannot even imagine what that would look like. Loving my God so much that every other relationship looks like hatred in comparison. Yet, that is what my life needs to look like for Him. I need to die to my selfish motives and ambitions and put Him first. I need to love Him more than anyone or anything and then I can truly be His disciple. I especially need to love God more than my 3 children who I hold so dear to my heart.
Being a follower of God really means sacrificing, but I have a better understanding of what kind of sacrifice is required of me. God says to love Him first and then to love our neighbor and if we are always putting our neighbors before Him, then we have our priorities wrong. I guess that gives me more to think about so I can be a better follower of my precious Lord.
AMEN my dear friend !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!xxxx
ReplyDeleteMmm yes alot to think about. So hard to do, but I realize more and more the reality that God is the only perfect relationship and the one I can truly count on. As much of a blessing relationships are, they are always tainted by our fallen nature you know? Yes, priorities..so good. I so appreciate your words Anita. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteKaren B