“What do you fear losing so much that if you lost it your life would cease to be good?”
My first reaction was, “I don’t want to think about that.” But the Lord wasn’t going to let me off that easy. Pastor Randal was speaking on where our hope is. His other question was, “What has to change for my life to be good?” Here’s a few of my examples; a wife stops nagging, a husband spends more time with me and the kids, I had a bigger house, the old clunker in the driveway was in the junk pile and a new car sitting in its place, the kids would behave better. The list can go on. Pick your own change that will “make your life good.”
These are just a few examples of where we seem to place our hope. “I hope I get a raise. It would sure make life a lot easier” “I hope the deal comes through. That could mean I stay in business.” But isn’t our hope, as Christians, to be in the Lord? Aren’t we to stand on His promises? He makes plenty of them throughout scripture. If we believe Him then why do we place our hope in worldly things to make our life good? What happened to, “Your will, Lord, be done?”
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1John 5:14
Back to the homework assignment.
We as humans cling to many different things. When the Lord told me I was going to have to sell my motor home I was devastated! “You’re taking away my freedom! I won’t get to go to the lake and camp! If I sell it I’m trapped at home!” I cried. To say I was upset is an huge understatement! My “Angel Buggy” gave me a means to get out in nature in comfort and feel safer than if I was sleeping in a sleeping bag in a tent on the ground. It was my means of escape. I was able to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday stresses. Now I had to sell it! My life was not going to be “good” any more! I would no longer be able to escape to the lake. I wouldn’t be able to float around on an air mattress and gaze at the clouds or sit back on a lounge chair listening to nature. He was taking away my freedom to relax! No, life was not going to be good any more.
What the Lord didn’t tell me was that He would give me a home within walking distance of Georgia’s largest lake. He didn’t tell me that I could do all those things every day if that’s what I so desired. What a Mighty God we have…………….. if only we will trust Him.
Phil. 1:6 says, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
He knows our wants and our needs. Yet we tend to look everywhere for those wants and needs to be met, except to Him, He who is the One who will meet them.
So what do you fear losing so much that if you lost it your life would cease to be good? Think about it.
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“And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His appearance.” 1 John 2:28
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Sue's Pen 2 Paper Blog 
Nice post Sue, and it’s all true. If I may, I would like to pose another question? When I have traveled to foreign countries (2nd & 3rd world countries) and met with Christians, some being alienated from families because of the Christian faith, Christ was all they wanted and they were satisfied. Nothing else asked for. Would most American Christians be satisfied with this?
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Yes Levi, good goood question. One I Am going to ponder today. Thank you for sharing.
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It is something to ponder Erica. Have a great day!!!
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Good question, Levi. I think we’re a very materialistic country as a whole. Just watch the news. Kids killing for a cell phone or a pair of tennis shoes for example. I haven’t been to 2nd & 3rd world countries but to answer your question, no. I don’t think many American Christians would be satisfied. I think the pews are filled with Sunday morning seat warmers and that we are a “me, me, me” society with little regard of consequences. Harsh? Probably.
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You know Sue, sometimes the truth is so harsh. But I can’t get passed the fact that it is so true. Which when reality is really faced makes it so freeing. My God. I love it. Praise Jesus name.
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And my God shall supply all of your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19
We forget He’s a loving Father who knows better than we do exactly what we need.
Great post and I love your cartoon preacher 😉
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Hi Kelly: We do tend to forget. Hope my pastor doesn’t see it. He’s tall and slender, too. lol.
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I wondered how you were doing without “Angel Buggy.” 🙂 I thought about your question. The first thing that came to mind was losing my ability to “do,” as I am someone who enjoys being active and helping others. Would life be good in bed? Do I fear it? A bit. I expect God would teach me contentment there, but it sure would be hard!
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Good morning Debbie: Yes, that would be really hard for me, too. The Lord was right, again. I don’t need the Angel Buggy any more but it sure hurt when I had to sell it. It took me a couple of years to get over that “mad.” lol Have a great week.
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A great post Sue.
The questions asked are very deep….A few things came to mind like the house I stay in or health. I don’t how I would act. It would be hard for sure. Your question brings Job to mind. He had everything taken away from him. Everything and yet he didn’t curse God. It really is a hard thing to think about.
I liked what you said about our trust being in God and not the material things. Our hope should be in Him. I have taken that to heart.
Thanks Sue.
Rolain
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Hi Rolerrol. Yes, that is a hard question. One of those that really make us dig a little deeper into our faith. He says He will meet ALL of our needs but do we trust Him to do that? Blessings to you and thanks for stopping by.
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Challenging! I’m keeping this in mind today . . .
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That it is. Thank you for stopping by and blessings to you.
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Awesome post. You know, sometimes when we lose almost everything is when we truly realize that He is the Provider of it all. Sometimes it is just a “Faith Walk” with lessons in trust… like Job. I know… I have been there. There is now nothing that I can think of that I would fear losing. I truly know that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes. It’s all just in His timing…
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Thank you and you’re right. When I sold the motor home I thought my cherished freedom was gone. He took my motor home and gave me the whole lake. lol We have to trust! Thanks for your comment and compliment.
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You and all who responded to this post have given me something so precious to think about. Thanks so much for your Pastor allowing God to use him to ask such a great thought provoking heart searching question. And thank you for sharing it with us. It’s awesome.
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It was definitely a thought provoking question. That’s why my first thought was, “I don’t want to think about that!” But the Lord in all His glory wasn’t going to let me get away with ignoring it. Thank you Jesus. We have to dig deeper to get to the “gold.” 🙂
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Amen.
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