What are you afraid to lose? Most people are afraid of death, losing their lives. Most people are also afraid of losing their personal property. They go to great lengths to protect it with security devices, lock boxes, etc. We can be afraid of losing our jobs, especially when the economy is weak or a pandemic threatens our industry.
Is there anything worth losing these things? Soldiers put everything at risk to protect our liberty. First responders put their lives on the line for us. What are you willing to die for or give something precious to you for?
The apostle Paul suffered greatly in order to preach the gospel. He was beaten with rods several times, stoned with rocks, shipwrecked, and jailed repeatedly. Why was he willing to go through all that and more? He explains in Philippians 3:8, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. ” After receiving the free gift of eternal salvation from Jesus Christ, Paul was willing to give everything for Christ.
Jim Elliott was a young man and missionary in Ecuador many years ago. He was violently killed there by the people he was trying to reach with the gospel. Before his death, he said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Elliott lost his life so that others could gain salvation. I ask myself what am I willing to give so that others can gain Christ? What am I willing to give so that I know Christ better?
Reluctant Retiree 