“As an act of goodwill you must sacrifice all the futures you might have for the one that he designs for you.”
― Dexter Palmer, The Dream of Perpetual Motion
PSALM 28-30
11You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.(30:11-12)
ACTS 21:1-14
10After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ”
12When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
JOURNAL
Sacrifice is part of life. In order to live with integrity and passion, it requires giving certain things up. Paul understood this...he was at peace with the reality that in being zealous for Christ and the gospel it would lead to his ultimate death. Yet Paul did not shrink back...he did not moan about how unfair this was or how cruel God could be. This is why James says to consider it "pure joy" to suffer as a result of the gospel.
Why is this? Really it is just logical, despite our desires...we can't have everything. You can't go left and right, you can't pursue goodness and evil. If I pursue one path then that means I give up the other. Otherwise, I become a wishy-washy fence straddler and ultimately get nothing. When Jesus tells us to be either hot or cold...that's what he means. In choosing...we surrender.
That is also why I must be clear-headed in choosing. To do it emotionally without thought is irresponsible and reckless. But to truly consider the paths in front of me and to choose them because I am seeking God is the height of wisdom, love, and power. It gives me confidence, joy and a calm sense of purpose...regardless of the outcome.
Why is this? Really it is just logical, despite our desires...we can't have everything. You can't go left and right, you can't pursue goodness and evil. If I pursue one path then that means I give up the other. Otherwise, I become a wishy-washy fence straddler and ultimately get nothing. When Jesus tells us to be either hot or cold...that's what he means. In choosing...we surrender.
That is also why I must be clear-headed in choosing. To do it emotionally without thought is irresponsible and reckless. But to truly consider the paths in front of me and to choose them because I am seeking God is the height of wisdom, love, and power. It gives me confidence, joy and a calm sense of purpose...regardless of the outcome.
JAMES 1:2
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