My Life Is Yours

My Life Is Yours

I recently came across a recording of a song I wrote when I was probably 14. Now, the song only has a few notes in it, but I'm trying not to judge the poor songwriting skills I had as a 14-year-old, since I consider them stepping stones. The quality of the recording is comparable to that of an answering machine message. The lyrics are kind of bland and the creativity in singing was lacking. All this to say, I was laughing pretty hard when I listened to it. But, as I was laughing about the song, how my voice has changed (I like to think, at least) and how I wasn't quite on pitch for all of the notes, I was also encouraged by the words I wrote when I was just 14—nearly 7 years ago, or a third of my life.

In reflection, the Lord has been so faithful in leading and guiding me to this place in my life. While I barely remembered that this song existed and while I certainly don't remember what caused me write it, I do remember, in a general sense, the uncertainty I felt when I was 14. What would my life be? How would I live it? What makes some people live a life that is fully devoted to God? It's strange because, while some of these questions have been answer for me at nearly 21, I'm still asking some similarly large questions. Why do some people's lives look absolutely crazy and others don't, though they say they believe the same thing? Is God happy with followers that ask how little they can do and make it to heaven, or is he happy with those who ask how much they can do because of all they've been given? If I've seen a Treasure in a field, how can I justify not giving my whole life away?

The questions haven't changed and I pray they never will. I may never find answers, but I know, if I keep asking these questions, I'll find the Truth.

There is nothing else I can live for

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
(Matthew 13:44, ESV.)

Does that accurately describe your relationship with the Lord? Do you just say, "Whatever, Lord. I've seen this treasure, so take everything, I don't care anymore. Here, take it all, because I can have YOU!"

Notice the man didn't go sell all he had and then walk past an electronics store and see a nice plasma television and think to himself, "Hmm, that's pretty nice. Actually, I think that's greater than the treasure I just saw. I'll get this instead." No! There was no weighing, no deleberating, and no sadness in the face of complete sacrifice—because, the man realized he was "sacrificing" nothing! It was clear. It was obvious. Anything or anyone else compared to this Treasure is a joke! Do you live like that? Do you live like nothing else matters compared to this treasure you've seen? If you don't, maybe you need to consider if you've actually seen the treasure and all it's great worth. Because, once you see the treasure, there is no way you can leave and live a normal life.

It's important to note that this is not just a response for the overly "spiritual" or "godly" people in the church as we might be inclined to believe. This is the standard for a response to the treasure (Matthew 16:24.) This should flow as naturally as would an answer to the question, "Hey, do you want me to give you a billion dollars?" Would you have to think about that? Would you have to weigh that? Would you have to consider if you wanted to trade all you had to get that billion dollars? No, because you see it's worth. Imagine a treasure of far greater worth—one that would make you look billions of dollars in the face and say, "Whatever... Keep it. I don't even care. I can have God!"

A radical treasure calls for a radical response.