Good morning and happy Thursday, Friday eve for the optimist. Have you sold out, sold out fully for The Lord? During our lesson last night it really occurred to me that I don't really think I have. I don't think I know too many people who have. I have this image of me flying off the earth toward Heaven as I grow and mature in my relationship with Christ. It was harder at first and my trials and tests seemed too hard to break the bonds of gravity to move upward. As I get stronger in my relationship and could see that I was way above the earth but seemed to be in a holding pattern. Closer examination shows satan on the ground holding a few lines still tied to me. As I thought I was free of those things, which I am set free but true freedom comes only when I let them go and put them in the past forever. Jesus set us free, we have to decide to accept His gift. I may be just a speck in the sky from where I was, but what scares and bothers me most is that I really haven't let go of some things that keep me tied to the ground. That's all satan needs to reel me back down to him. Sure it will take a while but for him it may be worth the effort. So the question is, have I gotten to a point where now I'm just comfortable and not willing to work to move further on? When I meet and talk with young Christians, no matter their age, I see the fire that drives us off the launch pad toward the stars. How do we keep our fires burning so that we don't settle into an orbit of lifelessness and comfort not to be moved anymore? It's different for all of us, but for most it comes when we study and read the Word. Selling ourselves out to Christ, Jesus told the young rich ruler to sell all his things and give it to the poor and then he could follow Him. He's only telling us to let go of what holds us to this earth. To know that it costs us everything to follow Him. At least everything worldly. Join me in cutting loose of our strings that hold us back and keep us tied to this world. Remember, we're not of this world. In love always. <><