So what does following Jesus look like? It’s like the old “follow the leader” game we used to play as kids—with the Leader out in front, and His followers walking behind Him, doing whatever He does and going wherever He leads. We are to be following His example of forgiveness, truth, righteous attitudes and actions, honesty with ourselves and others, integrity, serving even at risk and loss to ourselves, loving our enemies, caring for the needy and the poor, loving the losers, and generously extending grace and mercy to the undeserving.
Letting Jesus make something of our lives is a plan worth implementing. The outcomes are so rewarding that it makes following a worthy pursuit. Your relationships, family, career, and even your leisure will all be more successful if you approach every situation as an opportunity to be a follower of Jesus. And, by the way, those who are called to lead are not exempt. Leadership that begins by following Christ is far more effective." Strength for the Journey
Yes, we are all followers, but we're all called to be leaders, too. Our new pastor has been reinforcing this in almost every sermon lately. It takes a leader to be a follower of Jesus. You have to live independently from the surrounding culture, peer pressure, despite your own feelings, against your own rationale and desires. You have to go ahead and take the initiative to love even when not loved, to serve despite not being served, to set the tone of integrity, to make yourself vulnerable to those who might hurt you, to head out and act with courage in the midst of uncertainty, to keep dying to self... For anyone who is under the delusion that the life of faith is boring, or that you have to be blind and dumb to follow Christ, or that being a Christian is taking the easy way out (say a prayer and now you think you can sin as often as you want and still have a place in Heaven) - how sad! What a misguided view! What horrible lie you have been enticed to believe! Being a believer and follower of Christ, and a leader under His Authority is the greatest adventure available to humans!!! It's the only authentic adventure. Because it's real - eternal things are at stake and we can choose sides, take up our armor, and fight for the winning party! It's not about territory (this earth will be destroyed by fire). It's not about assets (earthly treasures all belong to God and He allots them to whomever He wills). It's not about fame (the first are last and the last first). It's about eternal soul destination and character, glorifying God, defeating evil. It's the best and highest calling. It's the most high-action adventure story, the most romantic drama, the most delightfully innocent comedy, the most heart-wrenching tragedy, the most fascinating history, the rawest and most world-changing documentary... But we don't have to worry about all that. We just follow Him. And exciting things begin to find us!
Lord, thank You for this amazing adventure! I praise You for how You make the way directly behind You so fulfilling and so far from demeaning. Your active followers are perplexed at how it's even possible that they received the honor to get dusty in Your shadow! How awesome! Thank You for choosing me, calling me, giving me a purpose. I love to see Your plans unfold in my life and have an active part to play in The Kingdom.
Father God, I praise You for my husband. He is such a blessing to me in so many ways. Thank You for going before us and preparing the way for increased intimacy. I am always so pleased and so strangely (because it happens so often) surprised by the way he steps up and shows himself to be a man after Your own heart. Marriage is such a wondrous system that I am privileged to be a part of. OK. Duty calls. I ask You to fill me with energy, strength, enthusiasm, love, patience, etc. Your Spirit. You know exactly what I'll need to excel in the situations we're faced with today. I trust that You will provide. And I love You. Thanks for loving me, too :).
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