Have you ever wanted something-something better than what you have-but had something less standing in your way? Please let me explain.

Let’s suppose you were raised in a false religion or a cult. Or maybe your family tradition was a stale, musty, traditional church. And dead. But then you were exposed to gospel teaching and for the first time in your life you could feel your spirit coming alive. But-and this is a big but-you hold back because you are concerned about leaving that cult or that false religion or that dead tradition. Why? Betrayal of family? Betrayal of a belief system? Loss of friends and family? Fear of being alone? All the above could be correct or even more. I heard it explained as being like a man with his hands in the stream. He has caught a small fish in one, but a bigger fish is swimming by. To catch the bigger fish he has to let go of the smaller one. (Golem he’s not).

I think that is a pretty accurate description of the scenario I gave above: Give up to get. Jesus had a man approach Him and ask Him about eternal life. When Jesus told him he had to give up all he had to follow, the Bible says he went away sad because he was very wealthy. He had to give up to get. He wasn’t willing to do that and therefore lost everything, at least that which matters in the end.

What is God calling you to maybe give up? Are you will to give up the lesser to gain the greater?  I have been asking myself that same question.

“Father, you know the choice I need to make. Help me to do it.”