Challenge: All as Loss

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, Phil 3:8 NASB

It is so easy for me to look at this verse on a surface level.  For goodness sakes, I’ve surrendered my life to the ministry, right?  What more do I need to count as loss?

What more indeed!  Any time I skim past this verse, I feel the nudging of the Holy Spirit to truly stop and consider those things to which I continue to cling.  This morning was one of those days.  And it hurt.

The greatest is my pride.  So much comes down to how I am viewed in this world.  Of course, right now I am staring in the face of being unable to follow through with a financial commitment, and I wonder how it could possibly be glorifying to God to miss payments or, worse, face a foreclosure!  If I am not a woman who keeps her word, then how can I be of use in the glorification of my God? 

Yet, what it truly comes down to is my pride, not God’s glory.  It’s not my business how God makes me more like His Son and glorifies Himself through me.  It’s my business to be obedient and fully surrendered and let Him take care of the rest. 

I have my own idea of what will cause me to gain more intimacy with Christ and allow Him to more greatly glorify Himself through me.  Until I am willing to put even those expectations aside – to put aside my very life and every ounce of its worth – I cannot truly say that I count all as loss for the purpose of knowing Christ.

That, beginning this moment, is my challenge.