Trust and Obey- TUESDAY
Trust and Obey
by
Bryan Craig
TUESDAY- Personal Abandonment
Over the large doors were inscribed these words:
HE WHO ENTERS THIS CHAMBER MUST DO SO BY PERSONAL ABANDONMENT AND ABSOLUTE TRUST
I watched Learner pause and read the words. I could tell he was considering the impact that such a commitment would have on his life. This was a serious, life-changing challenge, and it could not be entered into without considering the cost.
Journey to the Inner Chamber
Every person who has read Rocky's creative story about the Faith Journey begins to see themselves in the story, but they all pause when they get to the Inner Chamber. The invitation to go in and sit with Jesus by a roaring fire and spend time with King of Kings is so appealing, but those words above the door strike fear. Personal Abandonment and Absolute Trust...what can that mean?
It reminds me of the mixed emotions evoked when people started reading Rick Warren's best-seller, Purpose-Driven Life. Deep inside, people were longing for purpose, but they thought if they truly pursued God's purpose for their lives, He would ask them to do the unthinkable, like moving to Africa or selling all their possessions. In The Journey, we suggest that to reach this place of intimate, abiding with Christ, it will cost you everything.
I've listened to men talk about the Inner Chamber who say, "I don't think I've been in there yet." I remember the 30 Egyptian businessmen we introduced to The Journey back in 2007. We shared the allegory with them, and when we got to the part about the Inner Chamber, they could not get past a literal translation. They confined the Inner Chamber to a geographical location, or a posture or a room in their house. It wasn't until we put an Arabic copy of The Prayer Cottage into their hands and sent them out for 2 hours on a Prayer retreat that they began to understand the concept. They got a taste of intimacy with Jesus and we saw it begin to erase some of their confusion and their fears. Joy and transparency started to fill the room.
Brothers and sisters, Jesus is inviting you to follow Him. He is calling you into an abundant life with Him. But He says you must die first.
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it." Matthew 16:24-25 NIV
For years, I thought this calling was only for a handful of people who were called to be pastors. No! If you are a believer in Christ, He is asking you to become a Disciple. He wants you to follow Him into a new life. However, you must put to death your old ways, your old thoughts, even your old dreams. He is not asking everyone to quit their jobs and go to seminary or to Africa (though, for some, He may be).
He is asking for the keys to the car. God is not your Co-Pilot! He wants you to give Him your whole life. I'm hearing Carrie Underwood singing right now, "Jesus, take the wheel..." This is a big step, and it does require personal abandonment and absolute trust. What's holding you back?
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 NIV