Two Not-So-Simple Questions

Last Friday while reading through Radical, I was struck by something David Platt asked, "What would happen if we stopped asking how much we could spare and started asking how much it was going to take?"

Two questions that are easy to ask...yet each carry such different choices/consequences to the answers:

1. What can I spare? or
2. What will it take?

The very next day in Jesus Calling, Sarah Young had a Scripture refrence that I've read before...but in the context of having chewed on these two questions for about 24 hours...absolutely floored me:

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32, NASB)

Young's devotional was about learning to accept God's good things freely. But what struck me was this word...spare.

God didn't ask "What can I spare?" when He knew there needed to be a Way made for salvation. No, He asked "What will it take?" And then...He did it...costing Him absolutely everything in the process. If I call myself a Jesus follower and my heart's desire is to be more like Him...which question should I be asking?

Every time I give away my extras or spares and pat myself on the back about it, am I just missing the point? We have so much to spare in America, can we even get to the bottom of the second question? These are some of the questions I've been asking myself the last few days.

And today, I decided to run it by my kids...pose these questions to them. They all told me something they could "spare" and then I challenged them to think about and tell me later something they could give or do with their time that is an example of doing whatever it takes. I gave them some examples of not just sacrificing stuff but maybe giving up some media time to write a letter to someone or doing an extra unpaid chore...the possibilities are endless. Just so you know we're not perfect, some of the first things they suggested to give away were my things. Oh yes, they wanted to freely give away my popcorn popper, our food and even some of my Thanksgiving decorations. I knew this was going to take some time for them to chew on too!

I had a chance to prompt a couple of them later in the day and here's what happened. First, my son made a few witty remarks, but then he said something about giving away an item that reminded him of his quilt. It's a quilt I made for him that he honestly doesn't need. Friends sent him a Colts comforter and he just kept the quilt for sentimental reasons and as an extra layer when he's cold. So technically, I guess this is a spare, except I've asked him before to give it away and he's always said no. Today, he sees the value of giving it to Lifeline because they always have people asking for bedding and blankets...and winter is coming soon.

Then I asked my youngest, and she drew a blank. I told her to think about it and she could let me know later. I went to take a shower and when I came back out, there...laying in front of my bathroom door was a treasure trove that even a few hours later is making me weep. To the casual observer they may be nothing...and honestly the four small stuffed animals, she can spare...but her mermaid Polly pockets are some of her favorites and the Rapunzel Barbie is a sacrifice beyond what I ever thought she would part with....but what they were all laying on...folded neatly underneath...far surpassed anything I ever dreamed my child would give...her Purple Ba. (that's toddler speak for Purple Blanket!)

I know...sounds like a big build up to nothing...but this is not nothing. When each of my last three babies were born, I had crocheted them a baby blanket. But Leah was never attached to hers...instead by the time she was a toddler and she needed a blanket, she went for the Purple Ba...actually a burgundy blanket I crocheted for our family room that was really soft and snuggly, but someone at some point had stuck Silly Putty in it that didn't come out. Leah didn't care and over time the Silly Putty has come out and this Purple Ba has travelled with her to everywhere she has gone. We do not leave for an overnight trip without it. It is a priority at every bedtime.

When I saw this jewel laying on the floor before me, my first inclination was to call for her and ask, "Do you really want to give away the Purple Ba and all of these toys?" But as Holy Spirit choked me up and made me pause to think...first that yes, she could spare the animals, and next that although the Polly Pockets and Rapunzel are very special to her...over time they will not be missed...But "No!" I interjected. I can't allow her to give away part of her childhood. This is my baby we're talking about. And as my eyes brimmed with tears this is what He told my heart, "But you asked her to think 'What will it take?'" So I bit my tongue and instead thanked her and praised her for her willingness to give away so much. I even asked her to think of where we should send these and I think we came up with two really great places...one for the Purple Ba...one for all of the toys.

And a few hours later, as I'm typing this up, I don't know what this lesson will mean to Leah or any of my children but here's what it means to me:

What will it take?

It will take the willingness to give up what comforts me, give up the things that make me feel secure, giving up my treasures that I've held dear for most of my life and yes, it even means that I have to part with my childish ways and grow up to become the woman God created me to be. But most of all, it will take faith like a child and an open palm through which God can pour His blessings so that no matter the cost, no matter the loss...whatever it takes...people will know the saving Love of Jesus.

Amen!

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