Valuable

Luke 14: ²⁵ Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, ²⁶ “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. ²⁷ And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. ²⁸ For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— ²⁹ lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, ³⁰ saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? ³¹ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? ³² Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. ³³ So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

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“Where are they?” I fretted, flustered. With no way to get in touch with the missing DJ I felt “my” reputation melting away. Fortunately I had other, non-DJ related events planned so it wasn’t so bad. After an hour passed someone came to get me saying they had arrived. I was just about to go on stage to lead the step show, but alas, I had to go help the late DJ unload the car. “I wonder if I should pay him!” I was furious.

• There were times when I wanted to be in the spotlight.
• There were times when I wanted to be the center of attention.
• There were times when I wanted to be in control of “my” life so everyone could see what “I” could do.

JESUS says some very blunt words about being HIS disciple. I believe HE is not breeding hatred when HE states “hate everyone, even yourself.” I believe JESUS is speaking about prioritizing “value” in people.

• GOD wants me to value JESUS over any and everything I can.
• GOD wants me to see JESUS as all of the answers to any of my problems.
• GOD wants me to place JESUS over everything in my life.

Life is given from GOD. “My” life is not really “mine” rather it is GOD’s to do as HE pleases. Sometimes the sin in me rages war at this setup. I mean why can’t GOD just do XYZ in “my” life and things would be better. These words usually stem from my blindness towards who is truly in control.

GOD tries to show me over and over that HIS way is better and sometimes I accept HIS loving way. But there are times when I feel sad and lonely and I raise a fist at GOD, angry at HIS methods. GOD forgives my selfish blind times and picks me up anyway. HE is my priority over all.

• Is your life, “your” life or GOD’s?
• Do you think other people should be acting different or should you?
• Can you give your life to GOD to do as HE pleases so HE can be glorified?
• Will you change your expectations of GOD and allow HIM to rule the day while you offer praise to HIM anyway?

My own strength is faulty

Judges 7: ² The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ ³ Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

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⁷ The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.”

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With instructions from my brother I trekked to my high school early in the morning. It took an hour and fifteen minutes to get there on public transportation that day because I second guessed what was told to me and I missed busses and trains.

As I got closer to the school, I noticed thugs, bullies and gangs lurking about.

Finally when I arrived I breathed a sigh of relief, but that sigh was short lived as one of the teachers gave instructions on what I had to purchase, where my locker was and two thousand other laws I had to keep. I was overwhelmed. Will I ever graduate, alive?

• When I look at my strength I sometimes tremble with fear.
• When I see situations that are far larger than me I sometimes shutter with fear.
• When I think I have to solve a situation that is larger than my power I get stifled because of fear.

Fear makes me want to quit. I mean I think I am going to lose anyway, so why try? Maybe I should just go home, sit on the couch and ball up in the fetal position! BUT GOD has something different in mind.

• GOD takes me through many difficult situations only to show me HIS strength.
• GOD brings me through the battle to show me HE has already won the war.
• GOD says “where you are weak I can show MY strength.”

Battles are GOD’s specialty. HE knows the extent HE cursed the Earth and HE knows just how to protect me through very harsh and difficult times. HE wants me to rely on HIS wisdom, HIS love and HIS strength. My strength pales in comparison to HIS so HE wants me to trust HIM.

• Are you tired of trying things on your own?
• Are you just plain old tired?
• Won’t you look to GOD to solve and resolve your situation?
• Can’t you add trusting in the LORD to your plan?