How much would I give for the pearl of great price? How much would I sacrifice for Heaven? If Jesus asked me to give it all, would I be willing?
Matthew 13:45-46
I'm still reading the Francine Rivers series I mentioned a couple of posts ago (taking awhile to get through it this time because I don't have a lot of free time to read). In the first book, A Voice In The Wind, the main character, Hadassa- a young Jewish girl, shows time and again she's willing to give everything, no matter the cost, for her Lord and Savior. It's such a beautiful story and even more importantly, a very powerful lesson. It makes me stop and ask myself, would I be willing to give all, no matter what, for Jesus if He asked?
Would I be willing to give my home, my car, my family, money, clothes...my life even? I'd like to think so but do we ever really know how we'll react to a particular situation until we're actually faced with that situation?
People around the world, even in this 'civilized' day, are being persecuted and killed for being Christians. They stand strong in their faith, they love the Lord so much that they are willing to die for Him. They go through intense suffering and they endure because they know they don't go alone. They know that Jesus is with them. He calls them Blessed because they are persecuted for His Name's sake. He promises to give them strength to endure and that even unto death He will be there.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
THAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL! When I am weak, I am made strong in Jesus. The Joy of the Lord is MY STRENGTH!
So, that being said, I do believe that if/when the time comes that I am asked to give all, to sacrifice for the Kingdom of Heaven, to give back a tiny fraction of what the Lord gave to me, I will endure. My life is His and if He wants it back...who am I to argue?
WOW, Amen sister! You know I think each of us think the same. There are times when I say to myself, "Would I give up the ones I hold so dear to my heart?" And the answer is always "yes" because Christ holds them closer than I. My family has been going through some trials as all families do and this was the verse I've been going to for God's strength and guidance, how funny is that?! God works in MIGHTY ways! Thanks Danielle, for always provoking my thoughts and encouraging me....love reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteGod is such a giver, Hollie! Wow! He just keeps giving and giving and always exactly what we need, exactly when we need it most. Your words are a blessing to my heart. I'll keep lifting your family up and KNOW that He will provide and He will walk with you through this valley just as He has through every other. Hugs sister!
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