"Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ"
What have you discarded because of Jesus? Take a moment to think about your life before you were a follower of Christ. (If you have been a Christian since you were young, think about those things you currently avoid because of your faith.) What activities and behaviors have you decided not to engage in because you want to please the Lord?
Because of the transformation Jesus has made in our life we can sometimes feel that we are missing out on the "fun" that this world provides. Yet the world's enjoyment is like junk food. It tastes good at the moment you indulge in it, but in the end you are left feeling sick, holding worthless packaging that is only trash.
For today's exercise consider two things in your life that you still need to discard. Perhaps one of them is a habit that you engage in too often. Perhaps another is a behavior that you know is not loving others. Or maybe you are holding on to a past hurt that you need to forgive. Whatever your two issues are, be courageous and write each one out on a separate scrap of paper. These are the things you want to discard from your life in order to know Christ better. Once you have written them down, say them out loud, and prayerfully ask God to help you get rid of them. Now tear them into shreds and drop them into the garbage can. Let these go, for you have gained Christ.
(New Living Translation; photo credit: Brian Yurasits via Unsplash)
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