Sometimes it's hard to be a Christian. I've always been a bit of an odd duck, and then when I came to know Christ, it became harder. Other folks my age seem to think that I don't enjoy life because I don't party or drink. I don't watch a lot of movies. I talk strange, dress strange, and act strange. Many times other young people will pull me aside to give me advice. "Come ON," they say, "get a life!"
But the life God desires for His children is so different from that of the world. He calls Believers to a life of hardship that forces us to call on Him. He calls us to be radically different from the world, but promises to never leave us or forsake us. He calls us to be holy as He is holy. He calls us to fellowship with Him.
The God of the universe desires fellowship with you. With me.
Isn't that incredible?
That, my friend, is what life is all about.
Is it an easy road? For sure not. In fact, Jesus told us it would be hard; that we would often be persecuted and friendless. However, following Christ is the most rewarding life in existence.
This is illustrated in the New Testament in the story of Mary and Martha. Remember? Martha was busy, busy, busy, serving the Master. Obviously, we are called to serve Christ, and someone has to make meals and keep house. However, Jesus commended Mary because she chose to put the other aside and sit at the feet of Jesus.
Does that mean that you and I should ignore our domestic responsibilities and instead embrace constant solitude "sitting at the feet of Jesus"? Of course not! It would not be long before the house would not be livable! What this means is that I need to live in a constant awareness of the presence of Jesus. Wherever I am, whatever I'm doing, God is there. With me.
I once heard a story about a woman who understood this principle so well that her grandchildren thought she was crazy. "She's so weird! It's like she has an invisible friend or something." Well, she did. Jesus is invisible, and He's the best friend a person could ever have. What a compliment it would be to be accused of talking of and to Jesus so much!
What is life? To know Jesus. His presence is more fulfilling than any other relationship you and I could have. His love is overwhelming, and His grace, empowering.
Do you know my Jesus?
But the life God desires for His children is so different from that of the world. He calls Believers to a life of hardship that forces us to call on Him. He calls us to be radically different from the world, but promises to never leave us or forsake us. He calls us to be holy as He is holy. He calls us to fellowship with Him.
"Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
in Thy presence is fullness of joy;
at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore."
Psalm 16:11
The God of the universe desires fellowship with you. With me.
Isn't that incredible?That, my friend, is what life is all about.
Is it an easy road? For sure not. In fact, Jesus told us it would be hard; that we would often be persecuted and friendless. However, following Christ is the most rewarding life in existence.
This is illustrated in the New Testament in the story of Mary and Martha. Remember? Martha was busy, busy, busy, serving the Master. Obviously, we are called to serve Christ, and someone has to make meals and keep house. However, Jesus commended Mary because she chose to put the other aside and sit at the feet of Jesus.
Does that mean that you and I should ignore our domestic responsibilities and instead embrace constant solitude "sitting at the feet of Jesus"? Of course not! It would not be long before the house would not be livable! What this means is that I need to live in a constant awareness of the presence of Jesus. Wherever I am, whatever I'm doing, God is there. With me.
I once heard a story about a woman who understood this principle so well that her grandchildren thought she was crazy. "She's so weird! It's like she has an invisible friend or something." Well, she did. Jesus is invisible, and He's the best friend a person could ever have. What a compliment it would be to be accused of talking of and to Jesus so much!
What is life? To know Jesus. His presence is more fulfilling than any other relationship you and I could have. His love is overwhelming, and His grace, empowering.Do you know my Jesus?
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