You have probably been caught in a situation where time was critical and you had to leave something you thought you might need. It happens, and it happens to everyone at some point. I can hear people in the background anxious to get somewhere yelling out, “Just leave it!” Truth is, there are some things we hate to leave behind. When you’re moving from one house to another you might leave something behind. When you’re racing to get to school or to work you might leave something behind. When it’s time for the delivery of that baby, there are some things you may leave without. When a house catches on fire, there are things we leave behind. Even when you’ve made a purchase at a store, depending on what it is and how far you’ve driven, you might leave it behind. If you can hear the sound of bombs exploding nearby, you’re probably going to leave a lot of things behind. Those living in parts of the Ukraine understand this concept and have been forced to leave things behind in order to save their lives.
Jesus talked about a moment in time when leaving it all behind would be critical to staying alive.
Matthew 24:17-18 “Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 “And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.
The reference is to the great tribulation, and some would argue this only pertains to the Jewish people, however it most likely refers to all who place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
Think about it, how many will not survive those days because they couldn’t leave it all behind. Think about how many will hold on to lifeless things only for it to cost them their own lives. I don’t know how all of this will unfold, I just know a time is coming when you need to be ready to leave it all behind in order to live. Can you do it? Are you that person or are you holding tight to all of your collections?
DO NOT GO BACK! LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND!
Those refugees from the Ukraine left it all behind and their possessions may be there when they get back and they may not. They may never go back, but life is more important than our most prized possessions. I’m sure there were some who chose to ride it all out instead of leaving it all behind, and maybe they had no where to go or were more afraid to leave than to stay. The time is coming that Jesus spoke of when staying is not an option plan, but leaving it all behind is.
If you are a child of God, when you received Christ by faith, you were already exposed to this way of life. Upon your salvation, you were to leave your sins behind and leave the old you behind and become a new creation in Christ Jesus. Who leaves things behind? Those who trust God for protection and provisions and for the pathway to walk on.