This is the third post in a series entitled, “Prayer God Always Answers.” I’ll get to the prayer, but hang with me for a few minutes.

There’s a very interesting story in Jeremiah 35. Take a moment to read it.

So God uses the example of a family who has obeyed Him for generations to speak to the people of Judah who have continually refused to listen. God spoke to the people of Judah again and again, but they would not pay attention or listen.

God said, “I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.”

You know how frustrating it is to call, email or text someone who won’t respond. Imagine what it’s like for God.

God speaks, but we won’t pay attention. He calls, but we won’t answer. He gives instructions, but we won’t listen.

If we’re not going to respond, then why would He continue to speak to us?

We cry out to Him. We ask for things. We expect His help. But we won’t do what He says.

That brings me to a passage in Luke 14. Jesus has a large crowd following Him, so He turns to them and says:

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

Excuse me. Hate?

Hate my parents? Hate my wife and children? Hate my sister? Hate my own life?

Okay, Jesus is using strong language to make a point. In Matthew 10:37, He said it a little differently: “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of Me.”

By using the word “hate,” Jesus is forcing a comparison. In other words, our devotion to Jesus must far outweigh our devotion to even our own family. Or ourselves.

That wouldn’t describe my devotion to Jesus. Does it describe yours?

Could you say there’s really no comparison between your love for Jesus and the love you have for yourself or your family?

Let’s get practical. Do your choices reflect your love for Jesus and your desire to advance His kingdom or are they more reflective of a desire to advance your personal comfort and security? After all, it’s our daily choices that reveal our priorities and devotion.

For example, are you more concerned with saving for retirement or feeding a child in Ethiopia? Or a hundred children? Our use of money is a powerful indicator of what we truly value.

Do you believe your money is yours or God’s? I don’t just mean 10% of your money, I mean all of it. Does all your money and everything you possess belong to God? If you believe it’s God’s, then would a quick review of your checking account and credit card statement reflect your belief?

Do you spend more time shuttling your child to activities or serving others (not your own children)? Our use of our time reveals our core values.

Do little things annoy you, but not big things? Getting stopped at a red light or waiting in line is enough to make you angry, but millions of people having no access to a Bible isn’t your problem. (Ever wonder whose problem it is?)

If you’re a student, do you think going to school and working part-time is a major stress or that you have a hard life? Have you forgotten that on your worst day, you still have all the food and water you want, a cell phone, a car, cable TV, internet access, Starbucks, a Bible, clothes to wear, access to medical care and a safe place to sleep? And that billions of people have none of those things?

Do you know more about your favorite TV show than your Bible? Isn’t funny how hard it is to find time to read the Bible, but not so hard to carve out a few hours for a sporting event, a movie or LOST?

I think we let ourselves off the hook sometimes by saying, “Well, if Jesus asks me to give up everything to follow Him, I will.”

The thing is, He’s already asked.

What does that exactly look like? I don’t know what it is for you. I need to figure out what it looks like for me. Maybe some of these questions will help:

When is the last time I took a step of faith that really made me nervous?

Have I recently, or ever, written a check for missions that was so big it scared me?

In the last few months, has anyone said to me, “Are you sure that’s wise? Is God really leading you to do that? What about your family?”

What could I just not do without–my time alone with Jesus or the internet/my favorite hobby/TV show?

What breaks my heart more–my favorite team losing or knowing people in my own town are lonely and hungry?

Would I rather have my best life now or when I get to heaven?

If I died today, and the absolute truth was written on my tombstone, which would it say: “Lived a radical life for Christ” or “Lived safely for himself”.

So here’s today’s prayer:

Jesus, what You’ve said challenges me. It convicts me. It scares me. I realize how committed I am to my own comfort and security. I’m so much more concerned with my own pleasures than Your glory and Your kingdom. I have placed myself and my family above You. I have not taken Your commands seriously. I have sinned against You.

The right thing, the only thing for me to do is to give myself to You. Completely. Without reservation. Without conditions. Unconditional surrender. Paul called it being a “living sacrifice.” Jesus, You said it was like picking up my cross and following You. It means experiencing death to this life, so I can experience Your life in my mortal body. It means giving up rewards now, so I can receive them in eternity.

Jesus, You told the church in Ephesus that they had persevered, endured hardships and had not grown weary, but they had left their first love. I am also guilty of that.

So here I am, Lord. I am Yours. Change me. Help me unplug from this world, so that I am free to love and serve You with wholehearted devotion. Use me for Your glory and for the advancement of Your kingdom. I want to be obsessed with Your pleasure, not mine.

Thank you for Your grace and mercy. Thank you for loving and forgiving me. Help me live a life worthy of You.

Amen.

Today’s prayer was based on Romans 12:1-2, Revelation 2:4, Colossians 1:10 and Luke 14:27.

By the way, if it felt like I was pointing a finger at you today, know that it was really pointing at me. If you felt it, too, then join the club.