I recently read a story of a family who had visited another city. This family consisted of a father, mother, and son. As the story went, the dad and mom were so preoccupied with the big city after they had departed they realized they had left their son behind. I couldn’t imagine the fear for their child’s safety and the disappointment they must have felt with themselves. If this story sounds somewhat familiar it may be because you have also heard it. The dad’s name was Joseph and the mom’s Mary, and the son was the Lord Jesus himself as a 12-year-old boy.

Sometimes its good to leave something behind, and as this story went, not so good to leave a child behind. I’ve personally left some things. I used to have a few bad habits that I had to leave behind. I used to go to some places and I’ve left them behind. I even used to hang around a wrong crowd and I had to leave them. Some of you may have left a life of drugs and/or alcoholism for a life of freedom and victory in Jesus. Pride, envy, strife, backbiting, and discontentment are all things that would be wonderful to leave behind.

Now on the other hand, some things in our lives should not be left. For example, some people will allow a trial that has come in their life to move them away from God. At that crucial time within our lives we all should draw closer to God and depend upon His abundant grace to help us make it through. I want to remind us, God never leaves us. If anyone has left, it is us. I’ve also seen time and time again when a difficult time in a person’s life crops up, one of the first things that happens is they quit being faithful to the church. They will never miss a doctor’s appointment but they will forsake the office of the Great Physician.

But of these I believe the saddest to leave behind is love. In Revelation 2 we read a story of a church in Ephesus. It was a good, faithful group of believers. The only problem was they had left their first love. They hadn’t lost it but they left it. They had become so cold and preoccupied with all the “ministries” that they had forgotten why they even did all of what they did in the first place. The Lord asked them to remember. Remember what it is like to fall in love. Remember that devotion and desire that love produced. The Lord said, “Remember, then repent.”

Have you left anything lately? It could be for your good and God’s glory, or it could be due to neglect and sin. If you have left the love of God, He hasn’t moved, you have. He is right where you left him; still in charge of the throne. And good news, He will receive you back. What have you left?

Tune in to WBCU 103.5 FM Sundays at noon for the Shining Light Broadcast. I preach a 15-minute message that I pray will be a blessing to those who listen. If you have a prayer concern, comment, or question, please write to: Voice of Victory, Attn: David Burrell, PO Box 1221, Pacolet, SC 29372, message me on Facebook, or e-mail me at daveburrell@live.com.