The Art of Selling Out

My whole life, I’ve never had the guts to give the last effort. To take the last leap of faith that could mean crushing failure or riveting success. To completely go for something with everything I’ve got.

I think I have the same sixth sense that animals have when something significant is going to happen (ie. typhoon). However, unlike a cat or a dog, I don’t just run to higher ground; I go catatonic (I mean that I hibernate in my room and watch an unhealthy amount of Grey’s Anatomy…). A lot of big things have happened recently (I got placed as a Young Life leader at Oscar Smith High School, I’m starting classes at Regent, etc.) and I’m coming to a point in my life where faith isn’t just an unassuming object in my life anymore. I’m learning that the closer I walk towards Jesus, the more critically necessary He becomes.  I am learning the art of selling out.

Jesus talks about this a lot in scripture. Before great battle, what king hasn’t sat down to deliberate the 20,000? [Luke 14:31-33] And once we know some of the cost of following Jesus, we must, in good conscious, consider if we are willing to give it all: not whether we can give it all, but whether we’re willing to. For what salt lacking saltiness is of any use for the soil or the manure pile? [Luke 14:34-35] But the idea of giving it all, of really following Jesus, through the dark and the light, is scary.

One of my favorite worship songs is “Oceans(Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong United. The lyrics talk about calling on Jesus’ name when we are lead to waters deeper than we ever imagined: where our feet may fail, but His grace abounds. I imagine the storm that night, on the Sea of Galilee, after Jesus fed the 5,000. When Jesus walked to His disciples on the water. When they first worshipped Him as the Son of God. Imagine what it was like to see Jesus, a pillar of tranquility amidst the raging wind and the violent waves. Imagine what it was like for Peter (of little faith!) to get called out of the boat and, for a moment, conquer these same waters. Imagine what it could be like for us, to actually trust Jesus and walk with Him on the water: not just for a shaky moment, but an eternal lifetime.  “…to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” [Colossians 2:2-3] At first, this notion frightens me. I don’t have the guts. I could never walk on water. I am not good enough or brave enough or qualified enough to be a part of His great, redemptive Plan. But this is the beautiful part, the most beautiful part of any truth to ever be true. Since Jesus nailed our iniquitous debts to the cross [Colossians 2:14], we abide in Him, and He in us[1 John 4:13].  All we have to do is place our trust in the Son of Man. Follow Him with all we’ve got. Because we cannot do it. But Jesus can.

What I am listening to:

"Lake Yarina" -Josh Garrels

"Where Is My Mind" -Trample By Turtles(cover)

"How We Breathe" -Pinback

"Zebra" -John Butler Trio

"She's a Bad Mama Jama" -Carl Carlton

"Big Jet Plane(acoustic)" -Angus and Julia Stone

"You call me out upon the waters,
The great unknown where feet may fail,
And there I find You in the mystery,
In oceans deep,
My faith will stand"

verse from "Oceans(Where Feet May Fail)

"And Peter answered Him, 'Lord, if it you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when He saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.' Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'" Matthew 14:28-33