People are doing their level best to hang on during these unpredictable times. Any day can bring the threatening loss of wealth, health, relationships, and any material benefit considered to be a basic necessity in society. The worries force us to be restrained and inhibited with life.
But God never intended for us to live in fear of deprivation. His joy is that we have life with abundance - in this world and in the next! Living in a state of lack will never be found in His plans or promises for His children. But the road to attaining God's kingdom and His provisions begins with abandoning the world's aspirations.
Every invitation into discipleship from Jesus Christ is extended with the directive, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24)." Jesus saw Matthew working for the enemy by collecting taxes and said to him, "Follow me." Matthew did, and he never looked back. Are you holding on to a life that is deceiving and extorting you through your ambitions, covetousness and indulgences?
Abandonment is complete surrender. God can redeem and use a human vessel that can reject his or her present conditions and walk away. It could be time for you to vacate the premises and find a new reason to live, absolutely devoted to God.
Abandonment is a strong word that demands deep convictions. It means to let it go, give it up, hand it over, separate, sacrifice, consecrate! It is essential, if you intend to move from disciple to saint, from student to teacher, from follower to leader.
If you intend to escape the torment of worry and anxiety, it's time to distance yourself from the chatter and the surroundings that keep you burdened in your heart and soul. God will rescue you; but to grab the lifeline, you have to let go of the broken pieces of your personal shipwreck.
Peter reminded the Lord, "Lo, we have left all, and followed thee (Luke 18:28)." Jesus assured Peter and all of us, "There is no man that has left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting."
Abandoning this world's influence and dominion over your life is key to your salvation. It is impossible to serve God in righteousness and be yoked together with mankind's wickedness. Practice abandonment each day through prayer and sacrifice. God will surely reward your efforts and strengthen you with peace and prosperity!