Have you ever considered what the greatest word that Jesus spoke to his disciples is? Oswald Chambers would argue that it is “abandon.” I would like to argue the same.
Have you ever lived a moment in complete abandon to Christ? What does that look like? First, the joy is almost incomprehensible. Second, the denied self is so much more alive than the self indulged. To deny myself is to allow Christ to live. Because Christ has conquered death, Hell and the grave, he is fully alive. I am fully alive in Christ and He is alive in me. Abandon is the act of throwing everything else aside and allowing the peace and love of Christ to be the focus of our very being. We are called to put Christ above everything else.
I will quote Mr. Oswald Chambers, for he says it most eloquently, “Have you ever noticed what Jesus said would choke the Word He puts in us? Is it the devil? No–”the cares of this world” (Matthew 13:22). It is always our little worries.” (My Utmost for His Highest, May 23). Oswald also stresses that “it is not only wrong to worry, it is unbelief.”
Unbelief? When I have worried, I have said to my dear savior, “I do not believe.” I have confessed I do not believe in his provision, his promise or his love when I worry. Now it is also wrong to be careless, but carelessness and worry are at two opposing extremes. Instead, putting Christ and my relationship with him first, above any “care of this world” will begin to distinguish the worry in life. I will not just let things happen, but instead I will live with Christ as the head of my body, mind and spirit. That way I can be intentional about living in all areas of life according to His good will and purpose, living in abandon to Christ.