What will you give up?

I’m in a season in my life where there’s only one thing I want more than anything in the world. If you know me, you can easily guess what that is, and you know how hard I’ve been praying for it.

I constantly find myself negotiating with God, telling him all the things I would give up if I could just have this one thing. “I would give up all the money in my bank account, sell everything I own, become homeless, give up my ability to have children, never ask for birthday or Christmas gifts…” The list goes on and on. I would be willing to do radical, insane things to satisfy this desire.

Maybe you’ve done this kind of thing with God, too. You’ve tried to plead and promise to get something you’ve really wanted. What crazy things would you be willing to give up?

Suddenly, I heard a still small voice say, “Would you be willing to trust me?”

Well, biscuits.

Rather than trying to focus on what I can do, I really need to give up control of something that God is actively working on. Give up control and trust him. That’s it. But boy, is it harder than giving up material, physical things.

And there were times in the bible when Jesus asked people to give up things they valued in order to have life with Him.

Matthew 19:21-22

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man head this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Now, there will be times in life when Jesus will ask you to give up things, but this isn’t exactly the case I’m in right now. Christ isn’t asking me to give up any of the things I’m trying to barter, and he’s asking me to give up how I think things should go, and trust him.

God’s word calls us to trust Him. Trust His timing, His plan, His power. Maybe I’ll get exactly what I want in God’s timing. Maybe I won’t. Maybe I’ll get it, but it will be even better when I do receive it. The Lord’s plan for us is good, I just have to trust that.

Romans 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I’m very thankful for God’s plan and faithfulness, despite my complaining and pleading. Learning to trust Him is one of the hardest lessons I think I’m in the process of learning. But I’m willing to give up the simplest, hardest thing- my control over the situation- so that God can do what he will do.

What about you? What will you give up?

✞