Taking You Out of the Equation
8-12-2017
This past week my family and I went on a mini-vacation to see some friends (extended family) that we haven’t seen since 2011. We were setting at the table talking about God and leading others when my friend said, “I’ve learned that you just have to take YOU out of the equation of life”. That really struck me. We want to bring change to this world, we want to help the lost find salvation, we want to do so many things but how much of that do we miss out on because of our own selfish ambition?
The family we went to see has a daughter who was born with a genetic disorder called Trisomy 18, it was through the birth of this child that we became close as family. We went to church together at the time Alana was born in 2008… long story short… being a nurse I was able to step in for almost 4 years and help my friends learn how to take care of their beautiful baby girl. We walked through many, many firsts together… lots of ups and downs and tons of education. Why am I sharing this with you? Because it is this precious 9 year old girls daddy that said the very words.. “you have to take YOU out of the equation!”
He was explaining to me that as she has grown and has required more care, time and effort then anyone can imagine, he has learned that this life isn’t about him. He’s had to remove ‘himself’, his own desires, to make sure his little girl is cared for properly.
I got to thinking about us, as christians… Are we truly willing to lay aside our own life’s desires, our own wants and needs in order to bring life and love back to this hurting and lost people? Are we able to remove ‘ourself’ so that we can love like Jesus? How many times have we manipulated situations with others just to get what ‘we’ wanted out of the situation when they were the ones with the real need? How often is it “inconvenient” to pray for someone, help them load groceries in their car, tell them they are pretty or even just stop to give a genuine smile and hug? It seems to always fall back to ‘self’.
I feel like this is a perfect example of what Jesus was telling His disciples in Matthew and a continuation of what He is telling us today!
Matthew 16:24 Jesus told His disciples, “If any of you want to follow me, you must deny (disown, lose sight of one’s own interests) yourself and take up your cross (self-denial, exposure to death), and follow (reach for) Me. If you desire to save (to keep safe and sound, to rescue, preserve) your life, you will lose (destroy, perish) it. But if you give up (root meaning- separate, separation) your life for My account, you will find (perceive, obtain, see) it.”
I feel like we spend so much time trying to keep ourself safe or preserve our own life that we lose sight of why we are truly here. If my friends had that mentality their precious little girl would not still be here, that’s a guarantee… to be honest, very seldom do trisomy 18 babies make it past the first 90 days of life, but they chose NOT TO GIVE UP on her but instead, let go of selfishness and gave in to God!
I got to thinking about that… Have you ever known someone that you prayed for or tried to reach for a short amount of time but because it was not convenient for you, you gave up on them? Let’s be honest here.. Yes, I have! But what would happen in the lives of those we impact if we chose NOT TO GIVE UP ON THEM.. TO STOP BEING SELFISH… TO GIVE IN TO GOD’S PURPOSE in the situation???
When we are called to change the world around us, sometimes you just have to take YOU out of the equation. Please don’t think I am saying self-care isn’t important…. If you remember at the beginning I did say “we have been on vacation this week”… even Jesus stepped away from the crowds to rest. But to be honest… even when resting we still have to be willing to deny our own desires and “do” when He says “do”! Nothing in this life with Christ is about me…. It’s about them! When I lose sight of myself/my own interests and reach for Jesus I obtain all He has for me!!
I want to encourage you to start TODAY!! I want to walk a selfless life. I want to be able to lose sight of my own selfish desires in order to go when He says “go” or do when He says “do”!!! How about you?
Father thank You for times of resting and refreshing. Thank You for fresh revelation and insight into Your Word. I ask that You help me to remove ME from the equation. I know that as long as You are leading me and replacing my selfish desires with Your desires for me I will be living a life fully separated from self and fully rooted in You. I choose to live a life that is set aside and not about me so Holy Spirit I ask that You be very quick to remind me of this choice when my own selfish ambitions try to sneak in. Father I want to be a world changer, no matter how it looks or where it takes me! I want to be Your hands, Your feet, Your arms, Your words, Your actions to the lost and hurting. I want to reach the dark places and bring Your bright, shining light! Thank You for grace, wisdom, understanding and discernment.. In Jesus name. Amen.