On Earth As It Is In Heaven

So, as I mentioned before that I have been feeling God's calling into ministry, I have also been having "Ecclesiastes" moments... For instance, while doing some cleaning and decluttering recently I asked myself - if I can't take this to Heaven, do I really need to keep it? Now, I had that mindset before I was saved and when I read that in Ecclesiastes that everything is meaningless after I got saved - I went "Hallelujah!" Really, things that we get so caught up in on earth really do not matter. TV shows, concerts, movies, parties, shopping, spending time with friends, books, yes even books - and I am avid reader. Those are all by-products of living in a free country. Nothing really matters more than following Jesus Christ. Seriously seeking Him and doing what He wants us to do. Our real purpose for being put on this earth.

After getting saved it became quite easily for me to start spending less time with my family - who didn't believe ~ or said they did but made choices opposite of what they said. And it wasn't that I loved them less, I just knew in my Spirit that spending time with them wasn't the direction to go or way to spend my time. I asked for God to surround me with friends who believed and who can encourage me, and He did for sure. He put a circle of very close Jesus lovin' friends in my path, who to this day still walk with me through the hard times and good times. But my heart still seeks to go deeper. A deeper love.

And then the call started... take up your cross and follow me. What does that exactly look like? Quit my job and work for the church? Volunteer sunday mornings in kid-ministry? Build a huge successful business and drive a shiny car and get a couple people saved through my "example"? While I believe God wants to prosper us -- for sure -- I don't think that is what He meant when He said - Take up your cross and follow me. I believe we are to lay everything down - give up everything we own - say goodbye to the ones we love and truly follow him. Could I do it? I caught myself saying to a friend a couple months ago, while complaining about the cold weather, how I would love to move to Florida. And I said "really, whats stopping me? I have nothing here to keep me here". I pondered my words quite often since I've said that, because really, my entire family is here in PA. All of them in Lancaster County even - within a 15 minute radius of each other. All I've ever known really was growing up here, but still -- its not "holding me back". So I think, sure, I could go anywhere, but really I need to count the cost. Following Him isn't just going to church, being a good person, tithing and praying for each other. Its being willing to give up EVERYTHING for Him. Just like He did for us. Nothing I have right now is coming to Heaven with me, so I will not hold onto it. It has no eternal value... Still praying for clear direction on where God wants me and still excited, scared and nervous at the same time.
I came across a blog today in my facebook newsfeed that explains exactly what my heart has been saying to me. She's living it out... pretty powerful stuff - I encourage you to read it. Check it out here --> Kisses From Katie