Hebrews 9:8-12

Hebrews 9:8-12
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

  We want so badly to be in control.  We want to drive the car, to have Jesus as our co-pilot and confirm that we are doing the right things.  We want religion to fit into its place in our lives, and we want to be sure that nothing God asks of us is too great of an inconvenience.  We want a religion that is safe and pre-determined.
  Instead, God comes to us, offering to release us from sin and fear and doubt and shame.  In return, he asks for everything, promising us that we will be in a more abundant and fruitful place if we hand ourselves over, but God never promises that it will be easy, and Christianity is not a safe choice that will stay confined to one part of your life.  It will take over, changing the way we see the world and asking for more and more, displacing lesser things until all of life is a joyful, living sacrifice to Christ.
  We get so much more in return than we could ever give, but it's not easy to give.  It's not easy to give up control, to let God be in charge, to admit that we don't know the best way.  This is hard, but it is worth it.