Forsaking All

I would recommend the book "Sacred Singleness" by Leslie Ludy to any Christian. I have been challenged and encouraged to live this "Set Apart" life she speaks of and that Christ calls us to.

A few thoughts from the first chapter:

There would be plenty of Christian voices in my life that would shout with indignation that such a sacrifice was completely unnecessary and extreme. but they did the same to Mary when she poured out her valuable perfume upon Jesus. Mary did not have the understanding or approval of others, but she had the smile of her King. And I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt which one I would rather have.

But the amazing thing about all of these painful-yet-rewarding decisions is that I did not have to "become strong enough" to live them out on my own. I found that as I leaned upon the strong arm of my Bridegroom and trusted in His power, He enabled me to live according to His pattern and gave me strength to make difficult choices I never would have been able to make on my own.

That season of surrender was the foundation of everything I have now. When I laid everything down at the feet of my King, that's when I discovered the beauty and romance of the Christ-life. The moment I died to self's agenda was the moment I truly began to live for the first time.