God calls some people to give themselves fully to Him in
Religious life. As for me, I've been called to the married vocation, to the blessings of children and grandchildren, and to serving in the midst of the world.So as far as a making a total gift of myself to God, does this mean I'm off the hook?
Oh, I should certainly hope not. A total gift of self of God is one 'hook' I want to be on; it's a source of unspeakable blessings, it is a 'brass ring' on the ride of life. I would hate to miss out on it. And God, in His goodness, would hate for me to miss out on it too. With great love, He calls you - and He calls me.
Those who embrace Religious life have felt tugs so strong they just couldn't ignore them. Have we not felt God's tugs as well?
Are we not called to a life of total (not just partial, but absolutely total) commitment to Him? I provide the following as a tiny bit of evidence of our own calls to live fully for God, right in the midst of the world......
"I beg you, through the mercy of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, your spiritual worship. 'Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God’s will, what is good, pleasing and perfect.' " Romans 12:2
"I have loved you with an everlasting love... I am constant in My affection for you." (Jeremiah 31:3)
"I am the Good Shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know
Me, in the same way that the Father knows Me and I know the Father; for these
sheep I will give my life." (John 10:14-15)
"The grace of God has appeared, offering salvation to all men. It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires, and live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age as we await our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and of our Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:11-13)
"Be intent on things above rather than on things of earth. After all, you have died! Your life is hidden now with Christ in God. When Christ our life appears, you shall appear with Him in glory. Put to death whatever in your nature is rooted in earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desires, and that lust which is called idolatry.... What you have done is put aside your old self with its past deeds and put on a new man, one who grows in knowledge as he is formed anew in the image of his Creator." (Colossians 3:2-10)
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Men do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket. They set it on a stand where it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your Heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:14-16)
“Do not lay up for yourselves an earthly treasure. Moths and rust corrode; thieves break in and steal. Make it your practice instead to store up heavenly treasure, which neither moths nor rust corrode nor thieves break in and steal. Remember, wherever your treasure is, there your heart is also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
"Out of love, place yourselves at one another's service." (Galatians 5:13)
"May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Through it, the world has been crucified to me and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)
"I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk; I will counsel you, keeping My eye on you." (Psalm 32:8)
For more about commitment to God, click this line
"The grace of God has appeared, offering salvation to all men. It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires, and live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age as we await our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and of our Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:11-13)
"Be intent on things above rather than on things of earth. After all, you have died! Your life is hidden now with Christ in God. When Christ our life appears, you shall appear with Him in glory. Put to death whatever in your nature is rooted in earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desires, and that lust which is called idolatry.... What you have done is put aside your old self with its past deeds and put on a new man, one who grows in knowledge as he is formed anew in the image of his Creator." (Colossians 3:2-10)
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Men do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket. They set it on a stand where it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your Heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:14-16)
“Do not lay up for yourselves an earthly treasure. Moths and rust corrode; thieves break in and steal. Make it your practice instead to store up heavenly treasure, which neither moths nor rust corrode nor thieves break in and steal. Remember, wherever your treasure is, there your heart is also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
"Out of love, place yourselves at one another's service." (Galatians 5:13)
"May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Through it, the world has been crucified to me and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)
"I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk; I will counsel you, keeping My eye on you." (Psalm 32:8)
For more about commitment to God, click this line
This is a slightly edited repost from our archives. It is linked to Reconciled to You and Theology is a Verb for 'It's Worth Revisiting Wednesday.'
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