Giving it all up

I was wondering, as I sat in church this afternoon, if I should continue fasting. The week had been very discouraging and by Saturday I was on my knees pleading with the Lord for many things. I was pleading with Him mainly for certain desires to be fulfilled. I was anxious and feeling very lonely. Anyone who knows me, knows I don't handle loneliness very well.

There I was in the pew praying; praying over the congregation and through my very prayer the Lord was speaking clearly to me. It's important for me to disown myself, including my desires, dreams and everything in between. When Jesus called his disciples they abandoned all that they are and followed Him immediately. Personal abandonment is a daily task.

It is not that the Lord will not answer the desires of our heart. In fact, he bottles our tears and hears all our woes. It's that we are asked first if we love Him and how far we'll go to follow Him. There's only one road that leads to heaven and that path requires a trusting commitment. We must lay aside everything that hinders us (including our desires and dreams) and follow diligently after Him. We must placidly accept our lot and serve others before we serve ourselves. We must tend the heavenly vineyard and commit our soul to Him.

We won't be told what is ahead. It isn't for us to know. It is for us to have the faith in an eternal God that He will bring us through it all and give us all we need along the way. He's working it all out for our eternal good, not just for heaven but also for what's on earth.

Lord, give me strength to set out on Your task. Help me to entrust all else to Your capable hands.