Called Out

I recently finished one of those books that calls you out, that makes you think about how you are living and what you are living for. Specifically, am I living for Christ in the light of eternity or am I living for today with only this world in mind. I have been convicted that I am living for today. It seems that so much of my life is spent thinking about the things of this world and not on what I can do to help others experience the Kingdom. Then life becomes very small.

My question now is, what next? What can I do in this season of my life and what am I called to do? First, I know I am called to spend more time with Jesus. I cannot remember the last time I had a truely quiet time with Him, where I was unfettered by time. I so miss that about being single and childless. So, this in itself presents some challenges. I am going to have to seriously look at my life and set aside time to focus on Christ. Since I am not a morning person, I think this may be at night when everyone else is in bed. I also like that it is actually the start of the day, in biblical understanding. Their days started in the evening, not the morning.

Secondly, I believe I have been called to purge myself of stuff. So much time is spent caring for stuff and desiring stuff that could be free. Free, my friend. I long for freedom, and I believe stuff chains us. I would like to sell these things that bind and use the money for a good cause, but am still thinking and praying about how that might work out.

Thirdly, I need to keep remembering that I am not my own, I was bought with a price. I hear people say that salvation is free. It is and it isn't. Yes, all you have to do is accept it. It is a gift. But along with that gift is the price of your life. You are no longer to be about you, you are to be about Christ. You must die. The beautiful grace in this is that God gives us the desire and strength to make this more and more real in our lives. "My yoke is easy and my burden is light," Jesus says and many are encouraged by these words. I too am encouraged. God revealed to me this week that while Christ's yoke and burden are easy, they still exist. All our cares and troubles do not magically disappear. They are just lightened because we have the Creator of the universe to share them with.

Just in case you are interested in reading a good book, Crazy Love by Francis Chan is one I highly recommend.