Don’t Be Weighed Down

A recurring theme has been turning up in my readings lately, and in my interactions with people, and in the things I’ve been hearing; Are we giving God everything we’ve got? Are we submitting ourselves wholly to God? Are we able to just drop everything and follow Jesus Christ?


As we read in Acts 4:32, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” So is this all about being “as one” with our fellow Christ followers and serving those in need?

Pastor Nate has said that God is loose in this world. That’s a big concept. It’s exciting. It gives me the idea that radical things are happening. Are we aware of this, or are we looking the other way? He’s also telling us that we should be giving things up in our lives so we can more open to where God is leading us. What is standing in our way? What are we clinging to?

Jesus himself tells us in the Gospel of Luke, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” Ananias and Sapphira were willing to let go of most of their money, but because they couldn’t make a total commitment, they lost out. The rich young man thought he had it all figured out, but he just wouldn’t part with his stuff, and as a result, he lost out.

Erwin Raphael McManus in his book, Seizing Your Divine Moment, may have it right when he says, “When Jesus walked this earth, His disciples had to keep up with Him. If they were to stay close, they had to choose to leave the life they lived without Him and go wherever He would go.”

Putting this all together, if we’re going to be a part of Christ’s church, and keep up with Him, we can’t be weighed down with selfish desires. We must live as one, united in heart and sole and ready to be led. We must be willing to sacrifice ourselves and give Him everything. Maybe when we do we will find we are free, totally free to honor and follow Jesus Christ and where he leads us. Maybe that may mean stepping out of our comfort zones. Only then can we even possibly begin to keep up with the radical journey he has planned for us.

Pat Barnes