Waste Not, Want Not (2)

Our experience of love and satisfaction in life is tied directly to being obedient to the ways of God.  Jesus described that way for us in these words: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.  (Luke 9:23-24 NLT). 

During His life on earth Jesus said many times that He came to do the will of His Father.  His prayer of commitment, the night before he went to the cross over 2000 years ago was, “Not my will but Your’s be done”.  Jesus’ words and actions all the way through His trial, suffering and death on the cross confirmed His surrender to complete the work He came to do. When times are tough for us, we know that as surely as God raised Jesus from the dead, He will walk with us through our hard times. We, like Jesus, need to keep on surrendering to God’s way no matter how difficult our circumstances may be.  This is the gift of Jesus’ example to us from the cross.  Let’s not waste it.

Jesus explained: My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (John 4:34, Ephesians 6:6, Romans 12:2 NLT)

Jesus laid everything down so the plan of God could be fulfilled for you and me.  Will we be followers of Jesus and lay down anything in our lives that God asks of us?  If we are willing to do so we will experience satisfying richness of life here on earth and eternal life forever in heaven with Him.  Jesus death and resurrection makes this life available to each of us today.  Let’s not waste what He’s offering.

©2015 Partners in Hope