There Has To Be Something More

Many times it seems that people think that to be a Christian you have to give up so much and therefore it's too hard or not worth it.  My experience has been quite the opposite. 

My life before Christ was one of self-reliance.  Everything was dependent on Nancy.  I had to defend myself, protect myself, prove myself, and fend for myself.

Now don't get me wrong.  I was pretty good at all that.  I could rip a head off and feel right doing it.  I could avoid sticky situations to avoid getting hurt, I did well at work and in school and supported myself since I was 16 years old.  I had friends.  I had someone I loved and I seemed to enjoy myself most of the time.

However, there were things I couldn't control.  I couldn't control those around me.  I couldn't make them act the right way or love me the right way.  I had a lot of hurt and anger inside of me.  I always tried to turn lemons into lemonade, but the lemon was still sour no matter how much I tried to sweeten it.

One day I decided there has to be something more.  I began to ask the Lord what he did for me.  I had heard testimonies of who people were healed of addictions, mental illnesses, and physical ailments.  Since I didn't have those issues and I knew God's an impartial God, I kept asking him, "What did you do for me?  I know you did something." 

One day during worship at church the Lord showed me in a song what He did for me.  The words were "I'm set free to worship.  I'm set free to rejoice forever more."  It was at that moment I realized all the hurt and anger that I carried around for 25 years was gone.  The Lord had healed me!   The Lord had set me free!

And from that point on, I've continued to grow in the things of God and the closer I am to him, the "more" he shows me and the "more" he does in me and through me.  I've been I've been able to walk through hurtful, scary things without fear or hurt.  Instead I walked through them with joy and peace.  I'm able to love the offender.

So when the Lord says he came to give us life more abundantly and that his yoke is easy and his burden is light -- He means it.  He's talking about walking in love.  He said to keep his commands and the greatest is love.  And when He talks of taking up your cross and following him.  He's saying leave all the junk behind and pick up the new thing I have for you.

When you choose to follow Jesus you're saying I give up defending myself; protecting myself; proving myself; and providing for myself.  I now choose to follow Jesus and allow him to do that for me. 

It's an awesome place to be able to walk in confidence through a world of uncertainties.  To walk in peace in a world of strife and to walk in love in a world of hurting people.

So yes, following Christ does require giving up your old life.  By wouldn't you want to?  Even if you're good at what you do, wouldn't it be nice to have someone to do it with you.  Someone who loves you no matter what-- unconditionally.  And let's face it -- He knows us best -- he knew us before we were in our mother's womb.  He knows "more" than anyone else! 

We spend all kinds of time and money in trying to learn and gain more wisdom and wealth.  When we accept Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit, we get immediate access to the master of the universe.  Cool!

So regardless of where you're at with your walk with the Lord, ask him to show you his glory and be encouraged and forever changed!