All Else is Loss

 

Philippians 3.8 NLT

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ...

There you have it. Knowing and learning to know Jesus is infinite in value. NOTHING else has any worth by comparison. 

It was this discovery that emboldened me so many years ago to discard ALL previous knowledge, ALL previous dreams and goals and schemes and ideals. Everything I held dear or true or of great value needed to be examined in the light of His truth. 

I laid them down, one after another, day after day, year after year -- laid down at the foot of the cross. 

Daily. The great exchange: my ways and my thoughts for His ways and His thoughts. 

Daily. Daily submitting to the Holy Spirit's prompting as He faithfully showed me what I was hanging onto. Gently He would help me loosen my grasp and guide me to let go, to give them up, and to lay them down.  

Done. Traded in. Counted as LOSS. Laid down at His feet, submitted to His Lordship, released completely as I awaited direction from Him. 

If He instructed me to pick them up again, I would pick them up. If not, I would leave them there forever. I wanted Him -- His holy ways, His peace, His joy, and His strength to be mine instead of false ways, false peace, false joy, false strength. 

I clearly recall that it felt like a step into the unknown. Every time. 

But looking back with the eyesight I now have I can see that it was far from unknown. The path of relinquishment and obedience has been fully disclosed by God in His word. He has told us again and again what that way would look like. He revealed that we would prosper, having righteousness, peace, and joy in abundance. His blessing was guaranteed. Best of all, He Himself would be with me, continuously present, even in the valley of death. 

My future was not unknown. On the contrary, it was full of promise from a God who is ever faithful -- a God who is Love itself. 

I will be 68 in July and my testimony is this: my cup overflows. 

Peace and joy are ever increasing. I could say that the only regrets I have are the steps of disobedience but, amazingly, His merciful hand is seen even in this as through repentance He continues to deliver me from my sin! He works all things together for good. What an amazing God and Savior!!! 

The best news of all is that He will always, always, always be faithful. 

This great news is the best news for each and every one of us! A dear man, who for over fifty years lived with fear, addiction, abuse, and sin, just gave his life to Jesus for His guidance and purposes. And somehow, through His great miraculous power, that man's life is now full of His peace and joy. Jesus will redeem all of those years and work them together for good. It is never too late for His miracle working power. 

Your future for all eternity can be known. Today. That, my friend, is great and wonderful news. And truly, nothing else compares.