This isn’t easy, but I feel I should let you know that I’ve finally made up my mind. Oh, I’ve given it quite a bit of careful thought and consideration. I’ve even prayed over the matter. Truly, this wasn’t easy for me to decide, and yet I know as difficult as it will be, this is also the best possible decision I can make. It’s something I’ve needed to do for a long time.

I’ve decided to quit. 

 

 

Perhaps you are assuming I am quitting the A to Z Challenge. I am not. I am also not quitting writing this blog or continuing to write for God in whatever capacity He leads.  I’m not quitting my marriage, attending church, or being the 4-H club parent leader.

I am, however, committing to quit thinking of myself first. I realize that most of the time, I work to please me rather than God. There is a tendency to do what I want, instead of daily asking my Savior what He wants most of me. My time is spent without pausing to seek God’s agenda for my day. And I realize that this is a selfish way for me to live.

I don’t believe for a moment that quitting will be easy. In fact, I’m already convinced this will be a hard change to for me to make. And yet, by faith alone and through the power of the Holy Spirit, I know I will be able to learn how to quit putting myself above others, considering my own comforts first without thought to what God might be asking me to sacrifice. . Day by day and glory by glory, I trust God will teach me to live to reflect His love and purposes in my life.

I am challenged this Easter to give thought to the idea that if I want to share the glory of the Resurrected Christ I must first be willing to suffer with the Crucified Christ. In other words, I must to die to myself daily, finding my new life in Christ … a life that pleases Him first and me second.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself andtake up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.    ~Matthew 16: 24-25

Q is for quit …

I quit living for me knowing I will at times fail in this endeavor.

Q is also for knowing God will never quit loving me, even when I do mess up.