You have probably gathered from earlier posts that I am doing a lot of wrestling with God these days.  I feel like my life (my safe, comfortable, healthy life) is being taken from me.  Nobody likes to have anything taken from them.  It makes us feel violated and cheated, especially when it is something valuable to us. 

But when we give something valuable as a gift to someone we love, that is a great joy.  It is interesting that the removal of the same object from our lives can produce resentment or joy.  The question is whether it is being taken from us or being given by us?

Galatians 1:4 refers to the Lord Jesus Christ, “who gave himself…”  He set the example.  He is calling me to give as He gave.  And He knows that for me to experience true joy, I must give my life (my safe, comfortable, healthy life) to Him as a gift.  At some point (soon hopefully) I need to quit wrestling with the idea that my life is being taken and joyfully give it to Him who has given everything to me.