Someone shared with the group about someone they know, for the sake of privacy we will go by the name of Brad, and their reaction to them finding out they had cancer. While his wife was mad, sad, and upset, she questioned God as to why he would do that. But Brad simply said, "Why not me?" He was never angry at God for giving him cancer, he never questioned "Why God, why would you do this to me?" Brad went on saying, I am no better than anyone else, so why not me? This has happened because it was supposed to happen. I don't know Brad, but from hearing that much of the story, I am going to guess he spent the less than two years of life that he lived, to the fullest as much as he was able to!
What a faithful man this is! Obviously, he lived with the knowledge that God is a faithful God. He trusted the Lord, and while that may not have been how he had planned on spending the last two years of his life, he made the most of them. That was God's plan for his life. How powerful of a testimony is that to others who knew him?
Fast forward a couple of days to when I heard a song played on the radio called "Live Like That" by Sidewalk Prophets. Here are the lyrics:
Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs
Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song
I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You
If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back
I want to live like that
I want to live like that
Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true
People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You
I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You
If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back
I want to live like that
I want to live like that
I want to show the world the love You gave for me
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King
I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You
If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back
I want to live like that
I want to live like that
What a great song! Between this song and the story of Brad, it has got me to thinking! They lyrics to this song are powerful and convicting, but the words that really stick out to me are recklessly abandoned. The definition of reckless is this: utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action; without caution; careless.
That seems extreme I know but stick with me... I went on to look up the definition of abandoned. Abandoned can be used in several different ways, but this is one of the definitions the handy dandy dictionary.com gave me: to give up the control of...
Now, before you think I am completely crazy put the two together....I want my life to be recklessly abandoned to God. I don't want to hold anything back. I want to abandon my life, give up control over it, and give it over to God to a point that is reckless! Call me crazy, but bear with me as I try to explain myself!
As a human being, I have many fears, worries, doubts, etc. and etc. that can get in the way of what God is calling me to do. But I don't want any of that to get in the way of what the Lord would have for me. I don't want the fear of what could happen hold me back. I want to have the kind of faith Brad had. No matter what the Lord brings me to, I want to give it all I have! I want to live life to the fullest knowing that the Lord has His hand in my life, walking by my side every step of the way. I want to love people with all that I am. As the song says, "I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King". That is my purpose in this life, to share the Glory of God to every person I meet!
So here I am Lord, abandoning myself and running to You. I don't want to be the one in control of my life. I give myself to you! Where you go, I'll go. Where you stay, I'll stay. When you move, I'll move. Lead me, I will follow, trusting you every step of the way.
It's so easy to trust God and know that He is faithful when our lives are good. We have a job we like, a family we love, a nice home, a nice vehicle, finances are good, and etc. When we are comfortable with our lives it's easy to trust Him, to have faith in Him. But what about when the times are rough? What happens when our lives become uncomfortable? We lose a loved one? When finances aren't good? We have to move to a different town/state/country? When we find out we have cancer? When we lose a job? When our lives are turned upside down in a matter of a second? It's so easy to doubt God then, to lose our faith in Him, to question Him.
"He is the rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he." -Deuteronomy 32:4
I want my life to point to the cross, not to myself. A verse from the song says this, "When they see me, do they see you?" Wow....that really makes you take a step back and look at your life and how you are living it. Show me where I am falling short, Lord!
I want everything I say and do, bring glory to His name. I want to love with all I am, never holding back. I will cling to the Rock... to the one whose ways are perfect and just! Even through the storm. He. Is. Faithful. and He does no wrong.
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