Nothing Given to God Is Ever Lost

Everything abandoned to God will be returned to us, either in this lifetime or in eternity.

One of the devotions in Soul Weathered is called Abandoned to God.

In it, I make a statement that someone recently asked me about.

I wrote:

"Everything abandoned to God will be returned to us, either in this lifetime or in eternity."

Do I really believe that?

Absolutely.

Recently I had lunch with a friend I've known for several years.

Twenty-six months ago, he made a decision that most people would never make.

He walked away from a successful career.

He wasn't burned out.

He wasn't fired.

He wasn't looking for something easier.

He believed God was calling him to something different.

Not into ministry.

Not to pastor a church.

Not to become a missionary overseas.

God called him to develop a community—a place where families could flourish, businesses could thrive, and God's Kingdom values could be reflected in everyday life.

It was a vision that didn't fit neatly into the categories most Christians recognize as "ministry."

But he was convinced it was from God.

So he obeyed.

The cost was enormous.

Over the next twenty-six months, he and his wife spent nearly everything they had.

Savings.

Investments.

Retirement.

Security.

The project encountered obstacle after obstacle.

Doors closed.

Delays mounted.

Questions multiplied.

Last week he texted me.

He was discouraged.

Wondering if he had heard God correctly.

Wondering if he had misunderstood his calling.

Wondering how much longer his family could endure the uncertainty.

So we planned to have lunch.

The next day another text arrived.

Everything had changed.

God had opened a door.

Provision had come.

Not only enough to meet their family's needs, but enough to continue moving the project forward.

When we finally sat down together, I listened to his story.

And while everyone else would naturally focus on God's provision...

I couldn't stop thinking about his surrender.

Most people celebrate the breakthrough.

God celebrates the obedience.

As we talked, he told me something I'll never forget.

Over those twenty-six months, he had spent more time with his wife and children than he ever could have while working his previous job.

Their journey hadn't been easy.

His wife had wrestled with fear.

He had wrestled with doubt.

They had both wondered what God was doing.

But through it all...

God had been doing something far deeper than funding a project.

He had been forming a family.

I know something about that journey.

Years ago, God asked me to leave the security of my own career and follow Him into an uncertain calling.

There was no roadmap.

No guaranteed income.

No organization waiting for me.

No clear picture of what the future would hold.

Only one question:

"Will you trust Me?"

That question changed my life.

I've discovered that whenever God calls us into something significant, it will almost always require us to leave something behind.

Security.

Control.

Comfort.

Predictability.

Reputation.

Sometimes even the approval of people we love.

Because if we could accomplish it on our own...

It wouldn't require faith.

I've only known a handful of men who have made decisions like this.

Not because God only calls a few people.

But because few are willing to abandon everything to follow Him.

And abandoning everything doesn't always mean quitting your job.

For you, it may mean forgiving someone.

Starting a ministry.

Reconciling a broken relationship.

Giving generously.

Changing careers.

Walking across the street to love a neighbor.

Beginning the conversation you've been avoiding.

Whatever God asks of you, it will likely feel bigger than you are.

It will stretch you.

It will frighten you.

And it will require faith.

When God calls, there is no substitute for obedience.

Not understanding.

Not certainty.

Not guarantees.

Just obedience.

One step.

Then another.

Looking back, my friend has certainly sacrificed money.

Time.

Comfort.

Security.

But I don't believe he has lost those things.

He's already received things money could never buy.

More time with his children.

A deeper relationship with his wife.

A stronger faith.

A clearer dependence on God.

And now, God's provision has begun to appear in ways he couldn't have imagined.

That's why I believe what I wrote.

Everything abandoned to God will be returned.

Perhaps not in the form we expect.

Perhaps not on the timeline we would choose.

Some things will return in this life.

Others will wait for eternity.

But nothing surrendered in obedience is ever wasted.

Nothing placed in God's hands is ever truly lost.

So let me ask you one question.

What is God asking you to abandon?

Maybe it isn't your career.

Maybe it isn't your retirement.

Maybe it isn't even something anyone else can see.

Maybe it's your need for control.

Your fear.

Your pride.

Your comfort.

Your certainty.

Whatever it is...

Lay it before Him.

Because I've learned this much after years of following Christ:

God has never taken anything from me without giving me something far better in return.