In my "former life," I used to actually take some time for myself. (that seems like forever ago!) There was this group of "church ladies" that I would go to the beach with once a year. We had a lot of fun! We'd bask in the sun, eat, laugh, eat, shop, eat... you get the picture. We weren't the "best" of friends, but we had a lot in common and enjoyed each others company. I looked forward to it every year.
One year we had an extra bed so this young lady, who was twenty-something and fairly new at our church was invited to join us. She accepted. I'm not sure what she expected, but she tagged along. On the Sunday morning of our trip the "church ladies" got up, put on swimsuits, grabbed a chair, a towel and a diet coke and headed out; just another day at the beach! The "twenty-something" young lady walked out in a cute summer dress with Bible in hand and asked, "Who's going to church with me?" Huh?
Well, the "church ladies" started making comments like;
"We're on vacation, you don't go to church when you're on vacation!"
"I worship just fine watching the waves roll in."
"The beach is my sanctuary! I'll worship right here."
The young lady smiled and turned to walk down the beach toward the beach-front church. The "church ladies", they remained on the beach. The young lady didn't ask for reasons or excuses, all she said was "Who's going to church with me?" Why do you suppose the "church ladies" made the comments they did? Conviction would be my guess. Yes, it is possible to worship on the beach. It's an amazing display of God's creation. But the question is - is that what they were planning on doing? What I find the most disappointing is - it didn't change the outcome, the "church ladies" didn't move, they stayed right where they were.
Fast forward to today...
I'm finishing up a study called "not a fan." and it is really making me think! I've been a "born-again Christian" for 39 years - but have I been a follower for 39 years? Following Jesus Christ means to daily deny self, and follow Him. He doesn't say it will be comfortable. He doesn't say that it will produce lots and lots of friends, as a matter of fact He says just the opposite. People will make fun of you, laugh at you, talk behind your back, say and do hurtful things, and yes, there will be sacrifices. I can pat myself on the back because I do a different devotion book each month, go to bible studies, go to church and Sunday school - but if what I'm hearing doesn't change me, the way I think, the things I do, what I say and where I go... what's the point?
What I'm learning...
...God doesn't beg anyone to come to Him. He gives us the choice to choose Him.
...God doesn't promise that people will like me, but He does promise that He will ALWAYS love me.
...Following Jesus Christ isn't easy, if it were easy everyone would do it!
...Following is for the weak, those who realize that their life would be empty and lost without Him.
...God promised that if we follow Him today, in our human "tents", that it will be OH, SO Worth it in the end!
I don't want to be a "church lady" and stay right where I am; I have decided to "Dioko" Jesus!
(Greek word Dioko means to passionately follow!)
There are times in my life that I do feel like a follower and there are other times I feel or act like a fan! Until this bible study I never gave fan or follower a second thought. I know that we have choices to make, my problem is remaining consistant. I truely love the LORD MY GOD!It needs to be a daily, hourly even every second devoted to God. I must bear that cross with every breath not when it is convienant! I want to be a consistant follower!
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