Final Word: Give It Up

We are excited to welcome Jan Puterbaugh, the son Nomad's very own, Harry Bailey.  Jan is the Pastor of Insane Details at Life Point Community Church in Lake Mary, FL.  Jan and his wife Kelly are also great friends of Bill & Dena.   

Give It Up

It wasn't until I gave up everything in my life that I gained everything in my life. That's a pretty tough statement to make!  As a believer, as a follower of Jesus we often are trying to live life on our terms and wonder why there is an empty place in our heart, indeed, why we are walking around still missing something deep in our life.  Often, intentionally, we are trying to "fill a hole" with many things. Money, possessions, following the rules, being a "good" person, helping others.....yet we know deep down that a "hole" still remains....something is still missing.

In the story of the rich young ruler found in Mark 10:17-22, we see someone who had everything.  He followed the rules and had achieved much.  Yet, he was not ready to fill the hole in his life. Jesus told him to sell all His “stuff”......why?  Because Jesus knew that it was his "stuff" that was keeping him from true faith…….it wasn’t about the “stuff”…..it was about the focus of the man’s heart.

We often live our lives in a cloud of self-absorbing achievements...searching for joy, peace and true fulfillment. I think that often our achievements, both in stuff as well as achievements in what we do in life; make us feel "safe".  Our lives become rather "static" and predictable.  As a follower of Christ, our lives should be dynamic and risky, meaning that we put our trust in Jesus rather than ourselves and "things". The funny thing is, in living out this dynamic and risky life in Christ, we find true fulfillment in our surrender to Him...... and that hole becomes filled with love, with  joy and with peace.

What is it that is keeping you from surrendering your life to Jesus? Is it stuff? Is it achievement? Is it unforgiveness? Is there anything that you would be unwilling to give up in order live eternally with God?

Fill your heart with Jesus and gain the freedom to live life in a dynamic way! Gain eternal life and you will be able to live your life to the fullest. Surrender is the key. Lose your life in order to truly gain it!