It’s Not an Even Trade

Whether you’re a believer in Jesus for 50 years or 50 minutes, you know this, your life HAS to change. The Lord requires nothing less. As a matter of fact, He requires ALL. He gave His all for you and me. It cost Him everything.

You must trade-in your old life.

The ladies at Buried Treasures Home, where I once served, have a term called “couch surfing.” This is what addicts do when they are homeless and going to wherever the drugs are. It’s a hard reality to hear.

As horrible as this is, they tell me an addict has to be ready to change; otherwise, they will get pulled back into this destructive life. They tell me it is vital to remove old places, people, and things that supported their lifestyle. That’s not an easy decision. It costs them their old life, which at the time seems a risk.

Not all people have such a dramatic choice to make, but it is the same choice, none the less. The decision to follow Christ is a daily one, and it also requires choices, some of which seem tiny and inconsequential. These may be some of the most important.

He said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

You learn to love the Giver and not just His gifts.

You learn to embrace the narrow road, not just in outward behavior, but in your heart.

At a recent fellowship dinner, someone said, “Keep your foot on the narrow road and keep reading your Bible. The wide road may look attractive and have pretty flowers, but if you get too close, the bugs will come out!”

There are many descriptions of what can happen on the wide road. But keeping your eyes on Jesus is a daily walk, and it’s not an even trade. No, the Lord Jesus already paid it all. Any sacrifice you make to follow Him is worth it and doesn’t compare to His sacrifice. Not even close.

You get way more from this trade. You get His gifts. Things like:

Peace
Protection
Joy
A plan for your life
Direction in decisions
His intervention in your circumstances
Forgiveness
A body of believers become family
Provision
His Word to read and depend on
His faithfulness to you
and so much more.

So, where is your commitment today? Half-hearted is no heart. The Lord demands all because HE gave it all for you. Again, any sacrifice on your part, although He often honors it, is still nothing compared to Who He Is and what He’s done.

It’s not a list of dos and don’ts. It’s about your heart.

You get far more walking closely with Jesus than walking casually by Him.

There is no comparison. It’s not an even trade.

“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Dear Faithful Father, the narrow road can be uncomfortable at times, but is a place of protection. Help me to want to take the narrow road always, but to choose it each day. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

• Valerie Rumfelt is an on-mission writer, sharing winning ways to follow Jesus
• She and her husband, Clark, formerly served with the NAMB and have been church planters in Canada and Rhode Island and were the Executive Directors for Buried Treasures Home
• They will be serving with the IMB in Japan and working as a part of Southern Baptist efforts to be a light among the many people living in darkness.
• You can follow Valerie’s blogs on valerierumfelt.com