Father's Love in Losing your Life

It was not a popular message when Jesus in Matthew 10:39 says, "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it."  Many wander what this means, was Jesus talking about us dying where our earthly life is over.  The word for "life" is actually "psyche" which in the Greek translates into our soul.  In other words there is a life that has been constructed from the soul which includes our own constructed identity, our provision, and our protection.  This is the very essence of the "orphan heart" which is everything that has been built apart from Father's love.  I have found where Father's love is not flowing through me is where I am still seeking to function and draw life from an "orphan heart".

Could it be that God's grace is that we realize that everything "orphan" in us is dead.  All orphan thinking, living, and grabbing for love in relationships is dead before we even go down this road but we must discover for ourselves that it has no life.  I am convinced that life is to be fully and radically loved by God and to give this love away freely to others through my unique personality.  Even though at times I am deceived to think protecting myself, hiding, withholding my heart, or hoping to be respected or honored by humans is what is important.  Life is actually in exposing our wounds, our great need, and even our hunger for more to the Father to be filled.

I was struck this week as I dealt with personal rejection from others, disappointment in others choices, and even accusation. Where I am still bothered me is where I have not reckoned myself dead (the old orphan life).  There is a joy in loving back those who reject you, accuse you, and even disappoint you but there is a still a tinge of wanting to be honored, have my investment in people recognized, and even a desire to defend myself.  I find these death throes are minimal as I embrace primary purpose of being conformed to the image of Christ.  Jesus loved those who rejected Him, betrayed Him, and even accused Him of being of satan's kingdom.  When we decide to love in the face of rejection, anger, accusation, and others letting us down, it is God's pleasure we experience.  I believe this is when we "...if indeed we suffer with Him that we may also be glorified with Him..."

I believe what Father is desiring is to so fill His children with His love that they no longer need the love of those in the world to fill them.  Then we are completely set free to love unconditionally as He loves.  This is life, to love freely, openly, and fully.  We will be rejected, insulted, and even accused but Father is looking for laid down lovers that will be conduits of His great love to a broken world.

In Father's Love,
Bret