“What Would It Look Like?”

What would it look like if we really did fully rely on the providence of GOD?

As Believers, we casually say, “I trust” GOD for my needs. And I’d like to think that we’re wholly sincere about our motives and intentions. But what if … we actually followed through by …

• Giving away all of our favorite clothes and not replacing them.
• Donating the monies saved towards a vacation to a single mom who doesn’t have a car to get to work.
• Sacrificing one meal per day to give it to someone on the street.
• Not buying any electronic devices or gadgets for the next 5 years in order to sponsor missionary families.
• Devoting half of our weekend for the next year to mentor a youth at risk.
• Volunteering at a local shelter one day per week for the next year.

What kind of lives would we live? What kind of mindset would we have to maintain? How would we need to let GOD work in us so that He could work through us? What would all of this look like?

Would we be a bunch of crabby cranky people that walk around sad and feeling as though we’re missing out? Or would we be tilled soil that GOD could use to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit and yield the goodness that’s evidence of transformed lives? Would we welcome the position of humility as the place from which we now live and breathe?

While these handful of considerations may not sound terribly radical for most, it does open up the thought of how radical Jesus was when He walked the face of the earth.

For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. John 12:49 NIV

 I and the Father are one.”John 10:30 NIV

Jesus came and turned the tables on the twisted mindset of man. His open display of clearing away the perversions in the Temple, openly told us to clear up our personal temple: us. We have dirt and grime that need to be washed out. Practices and habits that over time have become acceptable and the norm to us. We’ve strayed so far away from being that ‘place’ where prayer and communion take place. It’s a wonder we’re so cluttered with stuff that obscures our view and leaves us feeling overwhelmed and spiritually undernourished.

So, what would it look like for each one of us, individually, to purge the temple? The temple that we see everyday in the mirror.

This transformation would transcend beyond worldly random acts of kindness and volunteerism. To step out boldly and reject the temptation to live in comfort so that we can actively minister to those with no comfort, so that they may experience the love of He Who gave it all so that all might live.

If I’m totally honest with you, Friend, I’d have to say I’m as guilty as the next person, and would have to take inventory of my own thoughts, priorities and mannerisms. Yes, there’s junk that needs to be eradicated in order for me to truly say my full reliance is on my Creator.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 NIV

Perhaps the first step would be to get quiet and listen to Him speak into my heart so that I can begin to fear less and trust Him more as He continues to provide for me. You see, it’s in the provision that many of us struggle to let go of the control. We mistakenly think that we can make things happen and all will be well. Because after all, we are Children of GOD. Not.

That’s not how that works. Seeking to be in GOD’s Will is what transforms our hearts so that we release the death grip on having things our way and allows GOD to do the miraculous. Getting out of our own way prevents us from stumbling over our own feet that are running in the wrong direction and likely at the wrong speed.

It’s possible that our lives would become less complicated, less stressed and even maybe less financially demanding. In GOD’s economy, where five loaves and two fishes equal the sum total of feeding over five thousand meals, anything is possible. Let that sit with you for a moment.

Would you be willing to take a step of faith and allow GOD to remove the unnecessary things of life and replace them with peace, calm and rest? It’s highly likely that the fluff of life has robbed us of these treasures.

I invite you to join me in cleansing the temple … yours and mine … and experiencing the greatest exchange of unimaginable proportion. GOD loves to surprise us. And we just might like the way it looks after it’s all said and done.

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary