So I see you didn’t take my advice… Well, I’m going to give you a few more chances to exit and not read this blog before you get sucked in.
DO NOT READ THIS if you are comfortable exactly where you are in life.
DO NOT READ THIS if you don’t want to be challenged.
DO NOT READ THIS if you don’t want to hear the truth.
Alright, if you’ve made it this far, you’re either very brave or very… well it doesn’t matter. Get ready to get wrecked.
Seriously, this is your last chance to heed my advice and not read this…
Ok, you’re sure? Like, really, really sure?
Ok, it really starts now:
Being a Christian isn’t easy… and it isn’t supposed to be. In John 16:33, Jesus literally tells us the we will have trouble in this world. He also speaks about the persecution that we should expect. Not the persecution we MIGHT face or that MAY come up once in a blue moon but the persecution we should EXPECT.
In Mark 10:29-30, Jesus says “‘no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields-along with persecutions– and in the age to come eternal life.'” Yes, the Lord will give us immense blessings but they will not come without sacrifice. Some sacrifices are greater than others and blessing will look different in all of our lives but the ultimate blessing is our salvation- eternal life with the Lord in Heaven.
In many parts of the world, Christians are being persecuted- some even to the point of dying for their faith. This brings up a question that I pray we are never actually faced with but a question that we need to honestly evaluate to know where we truly place our trust.
Will you follow the Lord and trust in His promises even if it costs you your life?
I pray that we can all have the boldness of Paul in Acts 21: “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
I pray that we can all have the courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:17-18 that when faced with death at the hands of a king, we will say that God “‘will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'”
Christ died for us so that we could have eternal life in Heaven. This eternal life is a free gift that only comes from belief in Jesus Christ as your savior. It doesn’t require any work. BUT, if the God of the universe loves us and has done so much for us, shouldn’t we be filled with joy at the chance to serve Him? Christ died for us- we owe Him our lives. The Lord may not call us to die a physical death for His name but He calls us to die to ourselves and our desires. “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24
There is a song that I really like by All Sons & Daughters, “Called me Higher” and it talks all about how we can just wait for God to come to us and we can stay comfortable in our lives exactly the way they are. We can love the Lord and stay safe in Him and never risk anything. But the God of the universe, who loves us more than any other love we could experience, has called us higher.
What exactly does that mean?
He calls us to follow where He leads us- wherever that may be. It could be down the street, to a new school, a new church, a new town, a new state, even a new country. He calls us to let Him into our lives and let Him change us.
I don’t know about you but this is scary to me! What if He changes me in ways I don’t want to be changed? What if He calls me to places I don’t want to be? What if His calling doesn’t align with what I want?
The truth is, these things might happen- and I’ll be honest, that sucks. There are times when life is just going to be hard.
There will be times when you will be asked to give up more than you ever thought possible.
There will be times when you have to risk everything.
But in those times, remember the boldness of Paul.
In those times, remember the courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
In those times, remember that the Lord is with you always.
“Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” Deuteronomy 5:33
Jesus said “‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” John 8:12
Times will be hard and you will be challenged but the Lord will never leave you. There is no growth when we remain in our comfort zones and don’t challenge ourselves. If you ever become satisfied with where you are in your faith, I hate to say it but, you’re doing something wrong. We stop growing when we become comfortable with where we are. In 1 Chronicles 16:11 it says “seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.” Not just until we get the answer we were looking for or until we hear from the Lord, but continually. God wants us to seek Him and to grow closer to Him all the days of our lives.
So, are you glad you read this?
Whatever you do, DO NOT SHARE THIS if you are scared what people will think.
DO NOT SHARE THIS if you don’t want to call other people higher.
DO NOT SHARE THIS if you don’t want to open up conversations with people about hard things (Small logistical point- if you do share this, don’t forget to share that the password is Kaitlyn.).
I told you not to read this… But I’m sure glad you did.
Know that you are so, so loved and whatever you may be feeling right now is okay. Please reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, or prayer requests.
