So why am I giving up my desire to have a baby?

So the other night at one of our small group Bible studies, we watched an INCREDIBLE message by David Platt (here is a 2 minute summary-ish of his book "Radical")

In the video, David addresses the conversation Jesus has with a wealthy man in Matthew 19: 16 - 26. The "Rich Young Ruler" comes to Jesus and asks, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" The man wants to know what "good" things he can do to earn salvation. Jesus responds by saying that there is only One that is good (God), but if you want to TRY to be good (which we know now is impossible, but the people tried to earn their salvation through following all of the rules) follow all of the commandments. The man responds by saying that he has followed all of the commandments yet he is still missing something (for him it was about external conformity - he missed, as all of us do, that inner obedience was also required and no man can do this).

It says in verse 21 that Jesus knew the man didn't fully understand and felt love for him. Jesus also knew that the man's primary problem was his wealth standing in his way of committing himself fully to God. Therefore, Jesus tells him to "go and sell all your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." My Bible commentary, as well as David, say that Jesus didn't intend for this command to apply to all Christians. Having wealth is not in and of its self an evil thing, but it says in 1 Timothy 6:10 that "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." Jesus knows our thoughts and hearts much better than we do and He knew what this man's problem was, so He asked the man to give it all up. My Bible commentary says "In giving away his wealth, the young man would have removed the obstacle that kept him from trusting in Jesus." Giving away his wealth wouldn't have saved him. The only thing that can save us is by turning away from controlling our own lives, and turning to Jesus for the forgiveness of our wrong doings against God and making Him in charge of our lives, however, he needed to get rid of his treasure here on Earth before he personally could do that.

So what did the man do? It says that he was saddened, and went away grieving. The man's tragic decision to turn away reflected a greater love for his possessions than for eternal life.

So what is getting in the way of you following Jesus? For me, it has been my will to have a baby on my terms. Does God ask everyone to give up the desire to have children? Oh course not! But in His divine wisdom, he knows what is keeping me from following Him fully and I have to give it up. And why does He want me to do this? Because He loves me and knows what I really need - HIm! Nothing is worth getting in the way of Him.

How about you?

Love to you! Katy :)