I lost it all, for good reason. So many times I have been brought to the cold, hardness of complete loss only to realize that I have forced this upon the Lord and myself. Returning to my sin I provoked His chastisement to allow me the opportunity to express the power of God’s Holy Spirit present when my own had been reduced to nil. This gift, repeatedly misunderstood gave me the chance to see that in self reliance I missed those miracles that may be worked through me.

What joy is found in the realization that this surrender, humbling and emptying of self is the greatest gift of a man seeking sanctification, self denial and everlasting power as a vessel. Once realizing that being moved to a state of no self power, no reliance upon thinking, heart or strength freed me from the trappings of mortal helplessness. The victory is God’s and as such must be held up in born again faith of the miracles that come due to surrender before the throne of God.

Praise Him for so many reductions, chastising me to prepare for sanctified outcomes that had always been avoided or prohibited by my self reliance. Empty is where I wish to remain, for this status predicts emergence of Holy Spirit above my own will to do the heavenly through this dedicated vessel. Loss of family allows for re-provision of new Godly members in Christ Jesus. Loss of wealth, health or social leverage provide opportunity to show the light of Christ to those who yet know Him.

I never could imagine that I would be content and whole having next to nothing, but that is where ironically I become wealthiest. I could never become the man God wanted me to be until letting go of my former self and the vain imaginary plans to arrive at some worldly plateau. It is reasonable to expect that the world will look at this realization as utterly foolish when it is arguably the greatest wisdom allotted. Does it take some character to be content with very little, certainly, but not long down this road you realize how much you resemble Christ.