“Boy, I am running in a million different directions!”
It’s true. You’ve probably said it. I know I have. We find ourselves often going in many different directions. And, sometimes, we let the tyranny of the urgent take precedent in our lives over what’s most important.
Yet as believers in Jesus Christ we are to always keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Him and His purpose for each day. Sometimes it’s beneficial for me to do a little house cleaning of my to-do lists and minimize the distractions, getting rid of what hinders my purpose in Christ. This is truly the foundation and starting point each day. I told my children this morning, “As you go about your day, show others what it means to be a Christian. Don’t point back to a prayer you said a while ago, or bank on the word “Christian” in your social media profile to identify you as a Christ follower. Just follow Him! Follow Him today in each of the moments and circumstances of your life. He will lead you. This is what it means to be a Christian.
The term Christian is widely used these days. Many people would call themselves Christians and yet haven’t thought much at all about what it means. Does it really mean we seek God’s leading for each and every moment of each and every day of our lives?
Last week while working in my “Experiencing God” workbook by Henry Blackaby I read a quote that caused me to do a diagnostics check of sorts. It said, “You cannot stay where you are and go on with God.”
You cannot stay where you are and go on with God.
Think about it. You cannot stay where you are and go on with God.
You cannot
plan your plans,
dream your dreams,
secure your retirement,
cultivate your hobbies
…and go on with God.
If, in deed, you have stepped into a relationship with Jesus, you have had to consider the cost in your heart.
Matthew 16:24-26a says, 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”
This is a familiar passage in our churches today. And I would venture to say if a survey were taken, many professing Christians would readily confirm that they hold to this belief. But Christian friend, how does this play out in your life? I share a quote with you from Henry Blackaby – Experiencing God:
We say Christ is Lord, and He can interrupt our plans anytime He wants. We just don’t expect Him to do it. We assume He will affirm everything we are doing and never ask us to change anything we have planned. If we want God to go down the channels we have already established and protect our personal plans and programming we are in trouble. H. Blackaby
In the New Testament, those who came to Christ knew inevitably that the cost would be great. We read in Acts 9:1-2 about how Saul (who was later radically saved and re-named Paul) was persecuting Christians. The passages says,
Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.[a] So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.
Notice a couple of things here with me.
Saul was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.
Saul asked for the arrest of any followers of the Way.
They made the choice to “go on with God” and face come what may in His strength. They are true examples of what we read in Matthew 16.
I’ve always liked the description for believers as “Followers of the Way”. That’s how I want to be identified. Now, do I think that following Jesus in our culture here in America will lead to imprisonment and death? Maybe not today or tomorrow. But believers in other countries are certainly paying that kind of price. Being “Followers of the Way” has cost many people greatly in the area of suffering. They indeed had to make up their mind to follow Jesus no matter the cost.
But I’ve been thinking a lot about the danger of living in comfortable America. Are we able to fool ourselves into believing we are Christ followers when we are actually going nowhere? And if He invited us to follow in a step of obedience would we be able to reason away our inability to accept the invitation?…Still somehow feeling good about calling ourselves “Christians”?
Are we Christ followers when we are actually going nowhere?
The rich young ruler is a good example of great enthusiasm without resolve. When he heard what it would cost to follow Jesus, he went away sorrowful because he had many possessions. I think the rich young ruler had one thing going for him. At least he wasn’t lying to himself. We do the same thing today and still claim to be Christ followers – perhaps just not fanatical ones.
Friend, are you going on with God?
Here are some thoughts to consider as you ask yourself this question.
Being a Christ follower is:
Life Changing
Course Changing
Heart Changing
Is this you? You cannot stay where you are and go on with God. God does powerful things through surrendered hearts. God desires to accomplish His purposes through our obedience. Let us wake every morning and be reminded that first and foremost, before we face our responsibilities of the day, we are going on with God. Let us truly be “followers of the Way.”
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
