What would you give up in order to gain true love? I suppose one's answer to this question can be found in how desperate, how devoted, such a love is needed, wanted, desired.
The older I get, the more I am learning just how small I must become in order to gain closeness to Jesus. This is not a bad thing. On the contrary, I find that it is most important to hang onto Christ with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength while letting go of the "me" that is so easily distracted and selfish. All that really matters is how close I can get to the Savior. He is health for me. He is more important than my own existence. His love is better than life.
These days, I find myself constantly re-evaluating what distracts me away from God. What sways my vision from His throne? Sigh. This world is full of all sorts of idols, isn't it? At every corner awaits another false god waving us down and screaming at full volume - ordering us to turn our direction away from The Creator. Unapologetically, Satan, and mankind's choice to sin, steer so many far far away from the One who truly matters. How easy it is to foolishly give away our attention, our finances, our moments, our space, our focus. We forget that none of these things are actually ours. They are God's resources and gifts for us to tend to and steward. Yes, my willingness to surrender everything back to His kingdom (rather than toward my own folly) is crucial in order to gain closeness to His love. His true, genuine LOVE. For what worldly treasures are more important than knowing Jesus intimately?
Less of me. More of Him.
I must become small.
I must let go of self and hang tightly onto Him.
For His love is all that matters.
His true love is all I need, want, desire.
Friends, throwing off every distraction that weighs down and hinders us from the presence of the Lord is restorative. Giving up and surrendering all we have ushers in new, joyous purpose. For there is nothing we can ever pursue or obtain that trumps our safely abiding in the shadow of the Most High... The Great I AM.
Willingly, let's give it all up for His love. Let's sacrifice each day and lower our posture - giving Him reign to teach us to relearn what is good and pleasing in His sight. Today, let's let go of this aggressive, addictive, surrounding world, and simply stand still in God Almighty's glory. For we can never be full on our own. We can never know peace without His presence. We are lost and in grave danger whenever we wander from The Shepherd. We need Him. We want His peace, security, hope, freedom. We desire His unchanging heart, His strong arm, His soothing Word, His nourishing grace.
What would you give up in order to gain true love?
May we become smaller and smaller and smaller, dear Lord.
Give us the humility and strength to let go of our stubborn selves.
Help us to hang onto You desperately, devotedly, forevermore.
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced. (Psalm 63)
Abide in me, dearest Lord Jesus... abide until all that remains is YOUR GLORY!
Blessings!
˜Victoria
© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson
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