November 8, 2020

Bob Maas
"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it."
Mark 8:38
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father d is not in them. For everything in the world---the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life---comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."
1 John 2:15-17

Obeying the great commandment to love God with all of my heart, mind and strength requires me to behave in a way that is antithetical to my natural and routine ways. Now I measure success and achievements differently. Material things, wealth and money are no longer necessary for my happiness. Relationships have taken on new meaning because I see all people without a need to judge, condemn or fix them. All of the things that used to be important seem so insignificant and trivial. I have become more focused on observing my environment than conforming to or changing it. Taking everything for what it is and trusting God to bring about His intended purpose is so incredibly liberating. It allows me to live more simplistically as I completely surrender to Him and let go of formerly important things. Now my prayer is simply that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.