Purging is sometimes difficult to do. How many times have we opened our closet, discovered it packed to the brim, and said: “I have nothing to wear!” Perhaps we look in our cabinets, freezer, pantry, and say “There is nothing here to eat!” How about the statement: “Wow! Where did this come from?” or “Wow! I forgot I had this” Now let’s not talk about the “I’m gonna get into this one day” outfit that some of us have. While the intent may be genuine, we are really holding on to things that no longer serve us or fit where we are in life.”
In October of 2023 I relocated from Virginia to Texas, and began a new chapter in my life. This experience was one that was full of twists, turns, detours, road closures, and traffic ahead. The journey that I started required me to leave the familiar, and step into a new place. I was going to have to give up some things, in order to embrace my next chapter. Some things were easy to let go, while other things were harder because of what they meant to me. The problem was I had a desire to take everything with me, while I was unable to do so.
Deciding what to keep, and what to let go, was extremely difficult . I had to weigh the value, and determine what was worth holding on to, or what should I simply let go? I remember packing, and thinking, I can only check 2 bags, and each has to be under 50lbs. What realistically am I going to hold on to, and what needs to be let go? Is this item worth the overage charge for a suitcase over 50lbs? Is it really worth it in the end? How much was I willing to pay, in order to take or get what I wanted? What was this “journey” going to cost me?
As I think back to those moments, it still reigns true in my life. How much am I willing to pay in order to get what I want in life? What is (fill in the blank) going to cost me? In Matthew 16:24, Amplified Translation, Jesus told His disciples: “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. While we know that saying yes to Jesus may mean we have to let go of some stuff, do we really think about what the “yes” means? Are we ready to go all in and let go in order to gain?
Recently I resumed my health journey. Now I know, if I want to shed the pounds, I have to give up certain things, and replace them with healthy choices. The problem? I liked what I was doing. I wanted to find a way to continue eating exactly what I was eating, and do exactly what I was doing, yet get a different result. That sounds like what we call insanity – doing things the same way, and expecting a different result. But how often do we treat life, and even our walk with Christ that way? We want a better life, a closer walk with Him, and so much more, yet are we willing to let go of self, and our selfish desires in order to gain what He has for us? Are we willing to stay up late, studying and meditating on His Word? Are we willing to spend time fasting and praying, listening to and for His voice? Are we willing to say NO to people, friends and family, and say YES to Him? Are we willing to step outside of our comfort zone, and step into the unfamiliar, in order to see and gain the greater God has for us? What are we willing to “pay” in order to be in His divine will?
Salvation is a free gift from God, but it was not free or cheap. In order for us to be saved, Christ paid the ultimate price and shed His blood for each of us. He laid down His life as payment for our sins. He gave His all, because He said we were, and are worth it. The question is, are we willing to give our all, because He is worth it? Are we willing to let go, and “sacrifice” in order to gain?
Abiding in His Presence 
Leave a comment