All Things Loss...

When I was in high school youth group, we always had a saying that sorta checked our attitudes about idolizing things of this world. We would just look at one another and say, "It's all gonna burn!" I have also heard it said, "He who dies with the most toys, still dies." No matter how you put, you can't take it with you! So why is all of our "stuff" that important?! In Paul's letter to the church at Phillipi, the great apostle teaches us a little something about the importance of recognizing how unimportant "things" should be. Paul states,

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for

the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss

because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ

Jesus my Lord. For His sake, I have suffered the loss

of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that

I may gain Christ and be found in Him..."

Philippians 3:7-9a

Think about that! Have you ever really lost something that you loved? Something that you liked a whole lot? I know that I sure have. Even better, have you ever freely given up something that you loved or really liked? If so, did you know the reward you would receive and did you "hand it over" joyfully? Or did you begrudingly pout and forget to acknowledge the Giver and Taker of all things? I wonder why "things" are so much more attractive to me than God's grace and His goodness and seeing His hand pour out all the blessing that I need in this life. I wonder why I struggle with trusting God and sometimes I wonder why I feel like He needs my help to run my pathetic life! I mean, God must seriously get tired of me telling Him that my way is better, and yet, He still rewards me and still provides for me and He has yet to give up on me and let me try things on my own. You see, God knows that we are stupid and have ridiculous ideas about life, He called us sheep for heaven's sake - the dumbest animal created! (And He knows they are stupid because He made them that way!) But God never gives up, His cup never runs dry, His grace is always sufficient, and His love is everlasting. Sometimes I wonder how and why He is so patient with me. A Bethany Dillan song recently reminded of how insignificant all my "stuff" really is and how incredibly sufficient my God is! Here is the chorus of the song, entitled All I Need...

You are all I need when I'm surrounded

You are all I need if I'm by myself

You fill me when I'm empty, there is nothing else

You're all I need

Moral of the story, I need to stop relying on what this world gives. And I need to stop believing that my shortcuts in life are better than God's plan from the beginning of time! Why can't I just trust Him more?! And yet, just like a best friend, He comes along side of me and forgives. Oh how I long to no longer disappoint and be so flaky in my walk with Christ. He is good and His love is forever! He is indeed all that I need! God is so good... :) (ps...35.5 hours till I leave for NY!)

And my God will supply every need of yours

according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19