Come and let go

   "there is only one thing you can consecrate to God, and that is your right to yourself (Romans 12:1)." (Oswald Chambers)

   For the past several days, Chambers has been writing on the theme of "Come", and I have been thinking on my response to this command of Jesus. What does it mean to come? What is Jesus calling me to? A better life? a more fruitful life? or the only life that really matters?

   Another one of Chambers favorite themes is abandonment. This is a giving up of my right to myself. I think of the description of a famous soccer player of a few years back, "he plays with reckless abandon". He plays with no thought of himself or possible physical injury, he just is so into the game, that it is all that matters.

   When I picture in my mind an image of Jesus looking back at me and saying "Come", I sense that it is a personal journey into the unknown. But I also sense that this journey is not to be taken alone, but that the word "come" is an invitation to join Him as we do this together.

   If I know that this journey into "come" is for my best, even if the details are unknown, why do I keep looking back and leaving bread crumbs on the trail? This attitude knows no abandonment.

   I have trusted Christ to save me from my sins, by his death on the cross for me. I have resolved to follow Him, but I see that I am following from so far back, that His voice is scarcely audible.

   The invitation to "come" denotes a constant relationship, and this constant relationship includes abandonment of my rights to myself.

   Could this possibly be done? Certainly not alone....