What is our limit?

This past weekend, I had the privilege to hang out with some amazing urban men in California.  They have all been through so much suffering, brokenness, and sacrifice. Some because of their own personal sin, but so much because of their situation or the abuse done to them. But the stories they have of perseverance and how God is now using them in unreal ways are very powerful to hear.

Which then led me to these questions, "How much am I willing to sacrifice? What is my limit in suffering?"  I think if we are honest, we all have our limits on how much we are willing to give up, or sacrifice for the Lord.

I will serve you, Lord, here... but not there.  I am willing to live in this house but not that one.  Lord please don't make me live (fill in the blank).

Galatians 2:20 says that we are are dead in Christ.  If we truly understand our position in Christ, we are dead. We have no rights. Christ owns us completely. He should be able to do whatever he wants with us.  Send us to any place, be willing to endure anything.  Any physical suffering, and even death.

For some of us, it might be living near family or it could be related to finances and thinking that we need a certain income to maintain our lifestyle.  Or concerning our time and how we use it or how much pain we are willing to endure?  There are many different places where we put limits. 

Paul in Romans 9.1-3 says some pretty powerful words "I am speaking the truth in Christ -- I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit -- that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.  For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh."

Are you serious Paul?  You are willing to be cut off from Christ just so his fellow Jews could know Christ?  We know Paul endured everything for the sake of the gospel. He was completely obedient to whatever the Holy Spirit asked him to do.

2 Timothy 2.3 says "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus."

I want that to be my prayer. I want to follow Christ anywhere, even to the point of death. But sadly, I see that I am still putting boundaries on the Lord on how much I will endure. I am praying that the Lord will completely break my flesh and my pride. I pray that I will completely trust in the Lord, in His love for me, that He truly knows what is best, and that I will follow him anywhere even to the point of death.