Forsaken

Time has an erosive quality causing many things to be left behind and forgotten. This erosion is an enemy that takes away what was and steals and destroys what isn’t purposefully secured. Over the span of a lifetime much is forsaken and abandoned in our past. Making a conscious decision, a choice of who and what to hold onto and what will be swept away with time is critical to life, happiness and contentment…here and in eternity.

Our pace of living is a major culprit in what we forsake and abandon from day to day. The speed and number of times you read this blog determine what you retain or leave behind. The lack of pausing, assimilating and meditating on what you think and hear each day contribute to what you forget and abandon. In 2026, abandonment is epidemic at home and abroad.

Some have abandoned biology and defining a woman in exchange for political gain. Others forsake common sense and allow men to compete against women in sport. Citizens across the pond forget the history of Nazi Germany to impose capital restrictions as their leaders prohibit them from having bank accounts outside defined borders. Others talk about the use of tactical nuclear weapons as safe ways to resolve regional conflict, forsaking alliances that draw others into the fray.

At home, Moms and Dads abandon parenting for jobs that offer advancement and greater provision. Discipline is abandoned to make children ‘happy’ with better self-esteem. Churches leave behind the full gospel and words in red that command how to live, define who God is and how we were created. The parts in scripture many churches forsake remind us we serve a God of love and mercy…but also a God of wrath. These words tell us not to forget or forsake the God of Creation.

We can leave behind what we love the MOST if we aren’t reminded.

If you look and listen, domestic and foreign political alliances are being forsaken and left behind. Domestic relationships are effectively abandoned as love grows cold between colleagues, friends and families. Leaving the past behind is spreading, gaining speed and traction. The Bible spells out the extent of what has been abandoned, what is forgotten and…what is about to be forsaken.

The Bible says it simply, IF we slow our pace to read and listen. God says NO one is exempt from abandoning what is important to them. In the last book in the Bible, God identifies HIS followers, the universal ‘catholic’ church, Protestants, Roman Catholics, you name it. In fact, when He gets ready to judge us all the FIRST group He speaks to is those who work hard, have good deeds and are diligent, productive and persevere for Him. In Revelation 2:2-5. “‘…You have forsaken your first love…repent and do the things you did at first…He who has an ear, let him hear.'”

When Jesus walked the earth He gave the cure for the pandemic we face in 2026. Don’t let this go in one ear and out the other. Don’t quickly pass this off, forget it and abandon it like common sense. Meditate and ruminate on……LOVE…..Whole hearted love. Love with ALL of your soul, strength, mind and body. Loving deeply, not casually. In modern parlance, holistic love.

Odds HIGHLY favor, we/you/me have forgotten what real love is AND can do. Jesus taught love was SO essential to human life that it was a command from our Creator. Not a suggestion or a good idea, a COMMAND; in fact,the greatest command. Meditate on that for 60 seconds if you can. When your boss, the Regional Manager or CEO commands something, your choice is do it or…suffer the consequences.

I won’t belabor the point because most of us are ready to pick up the pace and finish this blog. The erosive aspect of time and the ‘enemy’ are shouting in your ear right now, “I get it, I get it, I get, move on!!”

BUT…Jesus said God gave us COMMANDS… “‘The most important one is this…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.'”

Lets face it, top of the love list is usually…me. My spouse, my kids, my family, my job, ambitions, my legacy, my ministry. Something that starts with me or mine, not God…or you, my neighbor, my brother.

Put the oxygen mask on first if you want to save others, right? Not according to the Bible. Gotta loose your life to find it. No greater love than giving of your own life for others. Peter even says ‘Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.’ The kind of love that is selfless, sacrificial, patient, unconditional. Read 1st Corinthians 13:5-9 AGAIN to be reminded what kinda love we’re talking about.

Next time you tell anyone you love them, ask yourself what kind of love you meant. Don’t forget to do this.

The Bible teaches repeatedly, God IS love. He so loved the world that He gave of Himself, His SON. At a time the world is encouraging us to ‘accept’ each other and all kind of other things, let’s not abandon the TRUTH and command to love and not forsake HIM, our Father…and our neighbor.

This IS God’s plan. Christ followers carry this message and power of Jesus in our common, vulnerable, broken and forgetful bodies.

Forsaking and leaving things behind is a given. Take the time each day to choose what you want to abandon and what you want to keep. Live with purpose and love.