I haven’t written a post like this one in a while, but it’s been heavy on my heart. More people than I could have ever imagined have been writing in. People are suffering, hurting, longing to find joy.

A dear friend of mine has been through the wringer. Life has not been easy. At all. And there are days she wants to throw in the towel. But she shared with me how she knows she needs her focus in the right place. She longs to have that sweet relationship with our Savior. She wants HIM to be her everything.

In our society of selfishness, pride, and the pursuit of material things – it’s not the norm. Most Americans who profess to be Christians today might spend a few minutes a week on their relationship with the Lord. They go to church (sometimes) and treat their neighbors and friends in ways that are not pleasing in God’s eyes. This is why the world has labeled Christians as hypocrites. We’ve lost our witness. Why would anyone want to listen to us?

It makes me think of the persecuted church – those suffering around the globe for their faith in Jesus Christ. They sacrifice everything to be able to study the Word of God. Some wake up in the middle of night and walk miles to be able to fellowship with other believers. Some give their lives – freely.

Are you willing to do that?

What would it take in your life to make Jesus your everything?

I know it would take a lot in mine. It’s a lesson I’m constantly relearning. The first time it really made sense to me was when I was on a mission’s trip as a teen. Seeing other parts of the world with my own eyes – looking back to the comforts of home – wow, I understood that my priorities were messed up.

Many years later – I was married and the wife of a pastor – our family lived on an island in Alaska – the dark of winter dragged me down. The satellites had been blown out of their alignment and we had no internet or phones. The plane hadn’t come in weeks, so there wasn’t even snail mail. There were no stores or roads or cars. Just me and the volcano on the island – or so it seemed. 🙂 I had a headache. So I laid on my bed face-first and whined and complained to God. About how we’d sold our cars and our furniture, packed up the rest and headed to the wind-blown island in the middle of nowhere. In my mind, I’d given up everything for Him – and I just wanted to be able to talk to my family or friends on the phone.  An email or two would be nice. Oh, and to see the sun every once in a while…

I continued in my pity-party for a while until I felt like I’d been literally hit over the head with a 2×4.  That morning, I realized I didn’t NEED any of those things. I didn’t need email or phone calls, or roads or cars, or stores or mail, or even food or a roof over my head. It hit me that again my priorities weren’t straight.

The only true need I have on this earth is my relationship with Jesus Christ. Because that’s for eternity. And it’s all that matters. I’m not taking any of this “stuff” with me. And believe me, I have a lot of stuff. (Oh good heavens, do I ever!) Our lives are totally different because of Kayla’s disorder – we LIVE in our home. But if all the “stuff” were gone? Would I be okay?

What about you? Is Jesus your everything? Can you honestly say that?

We have a lot of craziness going on right now – but as my husband and I pray for the Lord’s will every day, we know we need to leave it in His hands. And sometimes letting go is hard to do. But man, do I want to press on toward the prize – that blessed finish line. I want to persevere so that I can be mature and complete one day.

So… where are you? Where’s your “everything”? What are you struggling with today?

(PS – that island? The lesson? It ended up being one of the greatest experiences of my life – and we miss it and the people… a lot – Thank God He’s in control and not me.) 🙂