What Have You Lost?

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As a kid, my teacher told me that Elvis Presley used to fly on private jets just to go get special donuts and then return home. I wasn't sure exactly why or how he was able to do this, but I knew that that type of life and freedom were exactly what I wanted.

Success is something that I've always strived for in every aspect of my life. My first high school girlfriend introduced me to a motivational speaker called Eric Thomas. Eric Thomas had a video that expressed what it took to be successful. In the video he explained how sacrificing hobbies, letting go of certain people, and being willing to go the extra mile each day was the recipe for success, no matter the industry.

After watching this video several times, I started to understand what it took for my dreams to turn into a reality. I was off to the races with each goal and nothing was about to come in my way. I intentionally missed out on parties and told myself that while my peers were partying, I would be working. I missed out on dates and told myself that while my peers were dating, I would be working. When it was time for Prom, I told my friends that I had already scheduled college visits.

I remember we had a senior trip where all the seniors would spend the week in Miami, Florida, partying and celebrating graduating high school. I told my friends that I wasn't going to Miami until I was able to buy a mansion on the beach. Needless to say, even at a young age I was focused on achieving what I thought would be success.

In high school, I had a commercial with Dicks Sporting Goods. During the mock interview, I told them that I got up at 4:30am each day to workout with my trainer before school. Shocked at my dedication and commitment, they asked why. My response was, I wanted to be the best athlete ever.

What I began to realize was that my pursuits were slowly becoming my identity. I was no longer someone who wanted to play sports but rather someone who did nothing else.

We see a similar pattern in professional sports players when it's time for them to retire. They have sacrificed so much for their sport that it is no longer simply a game that they play. It has become a piece of who they are and leaving it behind means losing a part of themselves.

Many athletes will say that they lost themselves in the pursuit of success. The interesting thing about Christianity is this is actually the mentality that God wants us to have in the pursuit of Him.

"23 But Jesus turned away from Peter and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! You are in My way [an offense and a hindrance and a snare to Me]; for you are minding what partakes not of the nature and quality of God, but of men. 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also]." Matthew 16:23-24 AMPC

We are eager to lose ourselves in relationships, in careers, and the pursuit of our own desires. However, in order to come after Christ and truly be a christian according to the standard of the Bible, we must be so dedicated to Christ that we lose who we are in this world.

"25 Now huge crowds were going along with [Jesus], and He turned and said to them, 26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters—[yes] and even his own life also—he cannot be My disciple. 27 Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and come after (follow) Me cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:25-27 AMPC

We happily give up who are we are for our jobs or for our spouses. But considering the unemployment and divorce rates, it seems as though it is time to give up who we are for Someone who has already proven who He is.

"25 For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting]." Matthew 16:25 AMPC

I've personally seen one of the wealthiest families this world has to offer reach out to people of God for help. I've also seen a relative of mine lose who he was due to the pressure of being the #1 draft pick of the NBA.

"25 Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. 26 Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary." 1 Corinthians 9:25-26 AMPC

We are professionals at losing ourselves in pursuit of the things of this world. At what point will we change our profession to pursuing Someone who is greater than anything this world has to offer?

"27 Then Peter answered Him, saying, Behold, we have left [our] all and have become [Your disciples [sided with Your party and followed You]. What then shall we receive? 28 Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, in the new age [the Messianic rebirth of the world], when the Son of Man shall sit down on the throne of His glory, you who have [become My disciples, sided with My party and] followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And anyone and everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for My name’s sake will receive many [even a hundred] times more and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who [now] are first will be last [then], and many who [now] are last will be first [then]." Matthew 19:27-30 AMPC

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Question of the Day: Are you willing to give it all up for God today, or is there a chance you die tomorrow wishing you had?