Navigating through the current goings on in our society and in the world can be confusing and frustrating, to say the least. Some say this, others say that and so many are attempting to take the lead. But which way do we go? Who do we follow? JESUS, that’s who! I guarantee He’s not arguing with anyone on facebook, bashing anyone for not agreeing, worrying about what to do and so forth.
Reminding ourselves that we are “Jesus Followers” is a daily necessity. However, when we remember that, we also need to do away with trying to lead Him or have Him lead us where we want Him to lead us. He just ain’t gonna do that. He’s got bigger and better plans and it’s most likely going to take you to some places you wouldn’t have gone on your own.
In John, chapter 4, we see that Jesus decided to leave a bunch of religious leaders, who were trying to stir up dissension, and go elsewhere. He made a stop at a well in Samaria. Others wouldn’t have made this stop because the Samaritans were looked upon as lower than and even hated. Jesus isn’t like that though. His dad is LOVE…He is LOVE. He encountered a woman who was an outcast among the outcasts. After his time with her, she felt seen and loved. Jesus let her know that He saw that her life matters. Not only did this impact and bring a shift to her life, but she told the news that this man of love from that "other race" came to their territory with a message that they matter.
Another time we see Jesus go out of his way again, surprising His followers once more. In Luke 19 he calls on the tax collector, Zacchaeus to come down out of the tree and have dinner with him….at Zacchaeus’ house! This man was an oppressor of the people…the bully…the lawless law! Though grumbling complaints began to come from the crowd around, Jesus kept His course and blessed this man, letting him know that he is worth loving. This very act, this detour Jesus made, brought Zacchaeus to a place of repentance and even repaying wrongs he had done to the people.
If we are following our own agenda, or our own opinion, or some angry person on social media, we will keep going and miss the turn with Jesus. We’ll just walk right into oblivion while Jesus is bringing hope, redemption, identity, compassion, love and healing where it was needed. Of course we know that sowing seeds like that always produces a great harvest. Let’s not miss our opportunity to sow life-giving seeds.
Today, how about we humble ourselves, turn to Jesus and say, “I stopped following close behind and became arrogant. Show me what I can learn today. Teach me how to take care of something that will produce good fruit, rather than a whole bunch of nothing.” He will so lovingly take our hand and tell us, “Come up here. Come up now.”, no matter how far away we went. It’s time to really trust the Lamb who is a Lion because He knows exactly where to walk through all of this.
Love, Todd
| 
No comments:
Post a Comment