October 12, 2007

Since I’ve never been asked by God to give up my daughter, so I connect with Abraham because he had a heart’s desire. We each have a heart’s desire. Some of us have several. I refer to those hopes and dreams that give meaning and inspiration when we get up in the morning. I’m thinking of those goals to which we most aspire, those possessions to which we attach ourselves most tightly.

Giving up those desires of our hearts can be close to as painful as giving up a loved one. Losing a dream is a real loss. We often fail to acknowledge and grieve the loss. We just wonder why we feel so bad.

So your friend who worries about the long term affects of diabetes, may be wrestling with giving up a heart’s desire – a strong, healthy body. Your friend who just had knee surgery may have the most heart ache over potentially not being on back pack trips anymore.

But Abraham’s experience reminds me that the big question is, “Can God have what I want most?” Will I give it to Him? Will I give it up for Him? I’m acutely conscious of what ‘IT’ is for me this week. You have to fill in the ‘IT’ for you.

I would propose that, as painful as letting go can be, it is much more healthy than trying to hang onto something we cannot keep. And every time we let God have control of what we hold most dear, we allow Him that much closer to our hearts.

That’s one way we can count our loss as gain.

“LORD, we love to obey your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.” Isaiah 26:8

Rejoicing in hope,
Pastor Steve