My time, Not my time, His time.

I want to be in Heaven. I understand Paul and his fight when he pens those beloved words, "For me to die is gain, but to live is Christ." There are times when I covet the position of those who have died in Christ. I am hungry for being with Christ. I want to be near him, to know the comfort of heaven and to be honest, to be away from the pain of this life like those who have found their rest, the faithful ones who dwell in the light now. I wonder if they know what is going on here? Are the days of endless delight vacant of the emotional turmoil that we call living? Do they see? Do they know? I confess that I also rejoice at times that those whom I love are with Jesus and not watching this human wreckage. I am hopeful that they are spared the pain of seeing a ministry destroyed by a “tourist" who has divided and pitched fits of anger at the people he was sent to preach the gospel to, spared  seeing the pain of children growing up without him, spared seeing life torn apart by infidelity, spared the desperation of nations at war leaving human wreckage scattered.  Life is a mess, we make it a mess. Yes, I covet that blissful state. I want to be with Jesus now, but it is not my time. But: 

It is my time to redeem each day given. Each minute is a gift with a question: How will you use me? Teach my heart wisdom Lord, that I may number my days. 

It is my time to trust completely. I cannot see.  I don’t understand. I have been blindsided by the effects of sin in loved ones, but my Father in heaven has always been faithful. Even though humans disappoint, God never does. I should trust him blindly and freely. Complete abandon to HIm. 

 It is my time to redeem the pain. For we know that there is no pain without a purpose and that there is hope in the midst of the hurt. 

It is my time to shine my light for Jesus in the darkness. The darkness only endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Darkness does not overcome the light, but is always overcome by the light. Jesus is the light that dwells in me, in Him there is no darkness. 

 It is my time to stand in the gap for others and to seek to be the hands and feet of Christ, my living head. I can be a shoulder to cry on, a voice on the phone, an email, a prayer offered together. 

It is my time to “fear not,” to be at “peace,” and to "still" and "quiet" my soul like a “weaned child on his mother.” 

It is my time to pray. There is never a time not to pray, but it is time to rise up and pray like a house on fire. It is my time to kneel down and plead like my life depended on it. Pray without ceasing Yes, it is my time. 

 It is not my time to question why a wife of many years would leave husband and children for another person. It is not my place to question why a man would commit numerous infidelities and walk out on his family. 

It is not my time to question the fairness of one person being healed from cancer while a little, precious child clings to life fighting the awful disease. 

It is not my time to understand the trials of diabetes as it slowly debilitates the body. 

It is not my time to question why the wicked seem to prosper, for we know as the psalmist says,"...their end."

It is not my time to be able to pay for the friend facing financial ruin. My Father in heaven who owns all is working out these things. He withholds and He gives. 

It is not my time to understand babies being murdered, christians being beheaded and driven from their homelands, children being victimized and sold as slaves for immoral purposes. 

It is not a day for me to understand. My Father has not given an answer to all the pain. 

However, He has given me His word and it is my time to draw near with full confidence to Him. It is time to cling to the arms of Jehovah and cry the tears of my heart. He will hold me and my loved ones in pain. He will catch my tears in His bottle, keeping better care of them than I. He will hear my heart which even I do not understand. I can commit my loved ones to Him and know that He loves them more than I do. He cares. He loves so much that He gave His only son. What greater assurance could He give? Oh, weak and trembling heart, behold your God. Commit your times to Him and rest in His care. For one day, it will be time for Him to show his wondrous works. There is a time, but it is HIS time. 

This is most specifically written to my beloved children. Please bear that in mind if you are reading. I spend a lot of time thinking about dying. I wonder will I die well? Will I bring glory to my King Jesus in my final hours? You each know how often I have told you to remember you belong to King Jesus. You belong to Him, because I belong to Him and I have given each of you back to Him since conception. ( Or my knowledge of it.) I want to remember that I belong to Him as my body wastes away, my mind goes, or possibly in those unexpectedly brief seconds after the unthinkable.  I want so much, more than anything to finish this race here on earth well. I also think about the manner of my death. I want each one of you to know my thoughts in case there is ever a question. Let not yourselves be divided or turned against each other because I have been unclear. Let love rule in all your dealings with each other and with your aging/dying mother. Please let this serve as my thoughts and desires for the end:  

1. I do not want to be resuscitated if pronounced dead. No heroic measures, please. 
2. I do not want my life extended by the use of machines. 
3. I would like to die at home and not in a nursing home away. My children have been my life. I have poured my heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears, and prayers into you. I want to be with you if I can. I understand if you are prohibited that might not be possible, however know that I love you most dearly and want to be with you as much as possible.  Never, ever question that I love you as my second greatest treasure only behind Jesus. You are precious. I treasure your company. 
4. I may refuse chemo depending on the circumstances. I do not want my life extended if it is questionable.I mean by that if there is a question as to if the chemo will work. This will have to be determined when the time arrives, but please do not be surprised if I ask only to be made comfortable and to die at home in my bed. 
5. I look forward to death. I want to be with Jesus. Death is a medium to get me there. I am not afraid of it, I am afraid of pain and the manner of death. I long to be where Jesus is, in His presence, if I may only touch the fringe of his garments and see Him from afar. I want to dwell in His presence. Perhaps weep tears of joy on His feet and wipe them with my hair. I also want to see those whom I have loved most dearly that are already with Him. Please be comforted in the hours of my death’s approaching that I know that my Redeemer lives and I know that He will resurrect me just as assuredly as He rose from the grave. He is my hope. His name is Faithful. 
6. I am afraid of shackling my loved ones with financial burdens due to my care. I want wise decisions made that will not leave debts that are unnecessary.
7. As I have said many times, I do not want an open casket. Remember me alive, remember my Savior. Do not look upon the dead, for I will be raised anew in Jesus. 
8. I want sung at my service: Psalm 98, I Greet Thee Who My Redeemer Art, Jesus, Lover of My Soul, Fairest Lord Jesus, For All the Saints, if time  permits Abide With Me, Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted, and Psalm 16. You know how I have loved singing throughout my sojourn. I hope my service reflects this. 
9. I want the gospel preached at my funeral. Preach him strong. Preach Him clear. Preach him as the only hope for dying sinners. Hold the cross up before the eyes of all that Jesus may be seen as the One who takes away the sins of His elect and covers them with blood bought  raiment of righteousness. I want Jesus lifted up and held out as the only way of salvation and as the great lover of our souls that He is. 
10. When I am near to death’s door. I would love more than anything to hear my loved ones sing Psalms at my sick bed. Read scripture to me. Let us look to the race being won, being finished. Let us praise the faithful one, for He has promised and He will bring to pass. Point my dying mind to heavenly realms that I might behold wondrous things above even in the midst of pain. 
11. I pray that each of you will walk with the God of your fathers. What a legacy of covenantal faithfulness I leave you! Granted it is not from my side, for I am as Ruth grafted in. I have had my Naomi and my Boaz. I have had a line of great, God-loving men from your father who served in ministry(for my older children) and God loving men who were faithful where God planted them (for my later two). They might not have been great in the eyes of the world, but they loved Jesus and you and wanted you to walk in the ways of Christ: Following Him with undivided hearts. 

There is more which could be said and I hope will be said as I talk to each of you. My mind and heart have not been hidden from you. I have talked with you as we have walked on the way, sat at the table, and carried out our daily tasks. I hope in all you know the greatest thing about me is my King. He, alone, is worthy! Seek King Jesus first and His righteousness. 

Waiting on God's Promise

I recently heard a sermon by Dr. R.C. Sproul talking about Simeon. I confess that my mind wandered and I had to go back to the account of Luke to refresh my memory of this faith-ful saint. As my thoughts juggled back and forth, I kept coming back to two things: the promise and the faith.

We all know that Messiah was promised. He is prophesied about throughout the Old Testament starting in Genesis 3 and weaving a thread throughout the scripture to Isaiah 7 and 9. Micah 5:2 and Zechariah 9:9 talk about the Messiah not to mention the Psalms that are replete with promises of His about Him. Now, think about Simeon. Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that, "...he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ." Simeon acted on that promise and put himself in the way of faith and blessing. What did he do? He went to the temple. Sproul asserted that Simeon had been doing this for years and had become a thing of derision and scorn. Can you imagine being "righteous and devout" and "waiting for the consolation of Israel." Prophets had been quiet for many years. Dreams and visions silent. However, God's plan was still unfolding and this faithful man was faithfully waiting to see it. And what was it? It was none other than Jesus himself, the LORD's Christ. It made me question myself. How patient do I wait? How long can I bear derision and scorn? How purposeful am I when given a vision to complete it? How purposeful in my daily walk with Jesus? Truly, it has been revealed through God's Word and the Spirit's application that I will see Jesus too. I know not the hour or the circumstances, but I know I will see the LORD's Christ. It is coming. Am I devoutly waiting on Him? Am I prepared with a song of praise as was Simeon?

"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

My cogitations did not stop there though as I deliberated on the faith of Anna. We are not told by Luke that Anna had the same revelation as Simeon but that she, "Did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up to that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem." Her faith was great. It does not escape my attention or the mention of God's word that she was a widow and one who we can safely assume was of low social stature since she had lived many years as a widow. However, God has no scruple about social conventions of man. He looks at the heart and obviously this elderly woman had a heart full of faith. Her faith was so great that she was always waiting on Messiah. It was before her each day as she prayed. Once again, I had to ask myself some hard questions. Starting with a greater revelation contained in the Scriptures do I wait for the promise devoutly? The promise of Messiah's return is just as real and just as needed today. Do you not sense the desire for Him to come when you survey our geo-political landscape?  Or each day as you suffer with the flesh and the weaknesses that ail us, do you yearn for the restoration of all things in Jesus? What about those sins that wage war within? Do you not long to have them forever put to flight and defeated by the King of all? Above all, do you desire to see the lover of your soul, the redeemer of your life, the one who purchased you with His own blood? Jesus is coming. He will return. How long must we wait? We are not told, but we should be like Simeon and like Anna devoutly waiting on the consolation of our souls, the King of glory.

The promise to us is real, certain, and true. May the Holy Spirit work great faith like Simeon and Anna in our hearts that we may patiently, and devoutly position ourselves to see the King. May we rejoice at His coming as we:

"Lift up (our) heads, O gates!
    And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty,
    the Lord, mighty in battle!... 
    The Lord of hosts,
    he is the King of glory!"  Psalm 24

I don't think people really like me. I know myself well enough to know how big of a jerk I can be. I am also very opinionated. However, that affords me the aloofness to look around at people. If you disconnect from the friend circles when you are at social gatherings, like CHURCH, you can spot people that are hurting or alone. They are in every crowd; standing on the perimeter. Some might happily be unencumbered and enjoying some time of introspection. Others might be wondering, why they don't fit in, or simply hurting. A crowd can be one of the loneliest places to be in the world. That is not all that you see. You can see the young mom, who is absolutely worn out from trying to take care of her little ones. That is what this post is about. (Yes, I am unashamed of the eye catching first sentence to draw you in.) 

Twice in the past month, a young mom has caught my attention. They stand out to me. It might be because I have been there for so many years with little ones that I am no longer a young mom. You can see in the eyes the struggle and the question, "Is church worth all this hassle?" or the accusation, "I should have stayed home." Maybe it is the doubt, "Why is my child so bad in church, am I a bad mom?" Or it could be, "I am so tired of this." I can remember humorously thinking with one of my children, when they were terrible in church on a regular basis, "Does he/she have a demon that makes them misbehave in church." (The answer is no, but they all came equipped with a well oiled sin machine in their hearts.) The reality is that SUNDAYS ARE HARD. You are out of schedule. You have to get dressed up twice to attend worship. Naps which may usually be kept diligently are thrown out the window. Fellowship between services only makes the day more exhausting. Not to mention, training the little bundles to sit quietly in church. Ok Moms, tell the truth when is the last sermon you really were able to listen to while having your child in the pew?  

If I could tell you all the horror stories revolving around Sundays and worship that I have experienced you would be in stitches. My children have shared body fluids with me in church, including vomit. They have tried to danced. They have reflected back to the pastor the benediction, wiggled, and giggled. We have fallen off the pew, snored, and been the loud thump of a head hitting the pew. It goes on and on. 

Shew, I am exhausted just thinking about it all. No wonder our young moms are too. 

However, exhaustion is not my end game. I want to encourage you young moms out there. Church is worth all the effort. It is a special time when you are called in to worship... thus the call to worship at the beginning of the service. It is a special time when your children are called to worship too. I can hear Jesus say, "Let the little children come, and do not forbid them." He wanted to be near the children when He walked the earth and He has not changed. It is the chief means of grace for you and for your children. Waking up, getting dressed, and going to church is worth it. 

Let's be honest, though, when it comes to church the struggle is intense. It is not as hard to get ready to go out for dinner. How about that sports game? Even going to work, can be easier. It is going to church where we feel the depth this struggle. However, we must persevere for our own spiritual health and the spiritual health of our children. We make time for the things that are important to us, and we fight for what is valuable. Let us recommit to make church a priority and to value it as food to our souls. 

Let me try to encourage you in a few practical ways: 

1) Prepare for Sunday. Have the clothes laid out and lunch in the fridge. Whatever else you can do to make it easy. DO IT! 

2) Cook an easy to make and easy to clean breakfast. (My husband always cooks Sunday breakfast. He is great! ) Paper plates.... YES! 

3) Don't have a "give up" mindset. Try to train your mind to value worship and look forward to it. 

4) Listen to sermon audio. You can find a pastor, maybe even your own pastor, and hear sermons. This feeds your soul in those dry months when listening in church is limited by squirming wee ones. you can do it while you pull weeds, drive in the car, cook dinner, mow the lawn, etc. 

5) Pray and confess your weariness to the One who made you, who took on flesh, and who knows what it is like. He has called you and He can sustain you in all things. Pour out your heart to Him and ask Him for the grace, strength, wisdom, and stamina. 

Nothing off the charts amazing here. I want you to be encouraged. We other moms are not out here judging you. We see and understand how hard it all can be. We pray for you and want to see you prosper as a mom. We want to see your little ones grow in the Lord! We are on your team. Let us together, run this race, fight the good fight of faith, and seek to bring glory to our glorious Triune God!  

Let me end with one of my favorite verses for the trenches, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 

Vocation or Vision

I recently sat in a meeting with several people. There was a common goal shared among the group, but not a common attitude. While a couple of the people were more than willing to do whatever was needful, one person would not budge. I left the meeting frustrated, but thoughtful.

I thought about why some would be so willing to carry the work load and "bend over backward" to make possibilities. I asked why another would be so unbending. How one looks at the situation seemed to explain the circumstances. (Circs as PG Wodehouse would say.) Are you working on a vocation or are you pursuing a vision?

Are you just punching a clock, filling the hours, and barely getting by? Do you only see the negatives? Are you like the shoe salesman who went to Africa and called back saying, "Bring me home, no one here wears shoes."

Or are you one who has a vision. Do you look for opportunities? Do you see with clarity that you have a calling to pursue, ultimately a God to glorify in all? Are you like the second salesman sent to Africa who called home and said, " Send more shoes, no one here wears shoes!"

Perspective can play such a role in how we spend our lives. I once heard a friend tell a story of helping his grandfather. He was working under the house in the heat of a southern summer. It seems that the plumbing was clogged and his job was to get the grease and debris (yuck!) out of the way. The young man went on to tell that even though the job was gross, he did not mind so much, because he was with His grandfather. He would have done anything for this beloved patriarch.

On a greater scale when we are caught up in the muck of this world, doing our daily jobs we can look at how gross the situation is, or we can catch hold of a change in vision. We can lay aside our vocations and see that in all we are running errands for King Jesus.

Oh, our king is special. He is our beloved, Almighty. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and never wants for anything. He is the Lord of hosts, the captain of our salvation, Emmanuel. He is the Lion of Judah and the Prince of peace. He is altogether lovely and He calls you by your name if you are His child. He is not impersonal or arbitrary. He loves with an everlasting love, forgives while casting away our sins to remember them no more, redeems us from our sin and misery, and clothes us in His righteousness.

It does not matter if you are changing diapers, cleaning toilets, mowing grass, or cleaning out plumbing in all we are serving our King. He calls us to do "everything without complaining or arguing". (Ouch!) (Phil 2:14) He tells us that we, "Can do all things through Christ who strengthens us." (Phil 4:13)He reassures us that if He has begun a good work in us, "He will carry it on until completion." (Phil 1:6)He tells us that if we have died with Him, that we will have newness of life to bear unto Him fruits in keeping with repentance. ( taken from both Rom. 6:4 and 7:4)We are called to run errands for the king.

Today as you go about the mundane, I pray that you will keep the vision of Christ, his love for you, His kingly office, His humble submission on our behalf, and His continual intercession clear before you. Try to avoid the vocation mentality by thinking about the one who saved you. What can He ask of you that He was not willing to do for you? What burden does he ask you to bear that He will not bear for you? Where did He draw the line and say, "You ask me to do too much?" When was he overcome by the job description and loose perspective? Was He ever selfish? What does He require of you that He does not promise to see and reward? Who are we to complain, we are but dust.

Let us, "Go to the ant."(Prov. 6:6) Let us consider the things that are "little and wise." (Prov. 30:24-28)

As this new day starts how can you serve King Jesus?

Improving our Trials

As I grow older, and my sojourn is prolonged, I am more aware of sorrow. It seems to come from every angle. There are people suffering with cancer, couples seeking to have children only to have miscarriages or infertility, children rejecting the true God, widows, orphans, friends struggling in their marriages, those in need of financial relief, and those facing death, not to mention the pain of walking in a world that hates our God and his people. Even as I list these, I am reminded of my many friends who are right now in need of prayer and comfort. This is truly a vale of tears. However, even as we look at the pain and sorrow encompassing us, let us not become discouraged or be afraid. As Jesus said to his disciples in John 14:1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me."

We need to look to God in all the trials of this life. We must believe in Him. We must as the catechism teaches know, "what to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man." God has revealed to us all that is necessary for "life and godliness". He has given us many patterns to follow in trial. One does not have to look very far in scripture to find many examples. Only think of Moses, the author of the first five books of the Old Testament, who was estranged from his family at a young age, committed murder, knew the solitude of rejection and desert wanderings, felt the burden of delivering his people, walked with them for years even as they constantly resented and strayed away from his counsels. His was not a life of ease and pleasure. Think of Joseph spending all those years in prison falsely accused. Think of the sorrow of Hosea as his wife played the harlot. We have David pursued by his son, sent from his home and throne to wander as one homeless even after years of fleeing for his life from Saul. The examples are manifold of hardship and pain.

Then we can turn to church history which is replete with those who have suffered and used it for good. Think of the early church martyrs and how many of them praised God amid the flames or the beasts. Think of John Owen who lost 10 of 11 children and yet wrote so pastorally. What about John G. Paton who lost everything: wife, child, all earthly possessions and continued to preach to the heathen of the New Hebrides. And there are many, many more.

My purpose is not to dwell on the negative however, but to point us to a Savior who has purposefully planned every event that fills our days. There is not one maverick molecule in God's world. There is not one thing that will come to you this day or any other, that has not passed through the scrutiny of a nail scarred hand and been approved to be the best for you and most glorifying for the Almighty Father Jehovah.

As wives, we love it when our husbands plan a nice romantic evening for us. We come home to find roses in hand, our favorite music playing, and the arms of our husbands. We realize that our husband has planned it all: the dinner, the childcare, the details. We are to simply enjoy company and conversation of the evening. But think on a much greater level, the lover of your soul has providentially planned every bit of minutiae of your days from waking to sleeping for your benefit. Every second of every day is planned in a way to demonstrate His love for you. He wants to see you demonstrate your love for Him in the response to all.

And so I come to my topic, improving our trials. What do I mean? I mean that we take each day and everything as a gift from God. Yes, this means that driver who cuts you off, the person who speaks unkindly, the child who disobeys, the crayon in the laundry, the "accident", and the occurrences of your day. We take each of them and use them to God's glory. We "overcome evil with good", "return a blessing for a curse", "turn the other cheek", discipline by faith, and pray that we will see what is in our hearts as fire makes the dross come to the surface and God's hand skims it out. We use each difficulty as well as success to drive us to Christ and growth in His grace. We improve our trials.

As we prayerfully consider the playing out of the drama each day puts before us, we can flee to Christ. What better things to be mindful of? How could we resent a trial that brings us closer to Him? Instead of being angry, we can use the emotional energy for good works. We can comfort others, pray for our enemies, be kind to those who hurt us. Dear christian, be not defeated, your king is victorious and we live in Him. Use the trials of this day to bring you closer to Him and to love Him and His people more.

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you... therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful creator while doing good." 1 Peter 4:12-14, 19

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful, your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever." 1 Peter 5:6-11

"So do not lose heart, though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light, momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Mediocrity

Do you ever clean up the kitchen halfway? Do half of an item of clothing in the laundry? Have you ever made half of dinner? Are you in the habit of making up half of the bed? Teach half of a lesson to your children? When you do half a job, are you content with the outcome? Does it make you happy to do just a little work?

I wonder how it happens then, that we wake up one day and realize that we are content spiritually with half-ways. We repent half-way, even when we have sinned wholeheartedly. We read God's Word half-hearted. We worship with half our mind on the sermon and half on the roast in the oven at home. We pray half-way, our minds so often engaged in worldly affairs. We seek the Lord half-way. We love Him with even less than half a heart, when He should have our whole hearts. (After all, aren't we commanded to, "Love the Lord our God with all our heart?") And what has come home to me lately is that we teach our children these half-ways in their relationship to God and we are content.

Do you remember when we first held those pink bundles in our arms and felt the skin of our newborn? Do you remember counting fingers and toes... so little and so perfectly formed? Do you remember the awe that these little "fearfully and wonderfully" made babes aroused in our hearts? Did you not praise the Lord for His design and creation? As you were overwhelmed with these thoughts, was it your aim to raise them to be half a person? Half a lover of Christ? Half holy? The very questions are laughable. Of course not! These little ones were going to be great and do big things.

Why is it then that as Christians and parents we settle for mediocrity in our own lives and in the lives of our children. Is our God worthy of half praise? Is He worthy of half of our children? Are we afraid of entrusting them to Him? How can we be when we know Him to be the, "giver of every good and perfect gift", who gave His own son, "how then will He not freely with Him give all things?" Are we beggars? Is God stingy?

Al Martin once said in a sermon that being a Christian, " is not a minor shift," in thinking or in our lives but, "If Christ has not radically disrupted the very center and citadel of your hearts, you are not a Christian." Steve Camp sang a song called "The Cross Is A Radical Thing", where he talked about the cost of following Christ and what it means in our lives. It means that we do not settle and average is not an option.

Tonight, I simply want to challenge us to not settle for half-hearted Christianity in our lives or in the lives of those entrusted to our training. God has never dealt with us halfway. He did not give us half of a Savior, half of grace, half of mercy, half of imputation, etc. No, He fulfilled and gave to the uttermost. And He has never half loved us. He loves us with an everlasting love of which we will never know the, "heigth, depth, width, or length." Let us seek to love Him back in the same manner and to "offer ourselves and living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to the Lord." Let us no longer be "conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds," and the devotion of our hearts. Let us put off mediocrity and seek to be sold out.