The early church was full of God’s fire. Thousands of people were coming to faith every day and the Holy Spirit was being manifest in signs, wonders, and miracles. So great was the momentum that the believers were coming together day and night to pray and worship. Almost as if living in a commune, they were selling their possessions and giving to everyone as they had a need. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been part of a fellowship like that. It sounds amazing, but it also sounds a little bit scary and totally foreign to those of us living in the Western world. While I’m not sure that the Church will ever look exactly like this again, I believe we can learn something from the zeal and fervor of the early Christians. So enamored were they with Jesus that they had no problem giving up every worldly treasure and pleasure just to experience more of Him! 

I’m not advocating that you sell all of your possessions, my friend, but I am encouraging you to take an honest look at what you most highly esteem. It’s easy to sing about living with abandon, but it’s harder to actually abandon the luxuries and comforts that become a source of security. As opposed to being overwhelmed by the thought of a faith that surrenders everything, I encourage you to cultivate a trust that is willing to surrender something, and start there. Live from a posture of submission and ask Jesus to show you how and when to do the next right thing. As He calls you onto the waters, your loving Savior is holding out His Hand and beckoning you to trade what you think you need for what He knows will afford your very best and most abundant life!