One thing that really struck me at training camp was something a speaker said. It’s something I already knew, but I needed to hear it again: Jesus is not safe.
It almost sounds wrong to say that. Some people would say “Of course he is! My life is secure because I have Jesus.” Yes, my life is too, but if you are truly following Jesus, it’s not going to be safe. It will be dangerously rewarding, scary and fun, hard but worth it.
Think about all the things Jesus did. He was bold, he didn’t care what people thought of him. He loved the outcasts, he performed miracles, he cleaned feet, he touched lepers, he spoke with prostitutes, he healed the sick, he raised the dead, he cast out demons..
People thought he was crazy. They gossiped about him, spoke down about him. There were some that wanted him killed. And even when they did kill him he still couldn’t be stopped, because he went and did something crazy again: he rose from the dead.
Jesus was so ridiculously awesome and fearless that it makes people afraid of him. People are afraid of the idea of someone who possesses such strength, kindness, fierceness, gentleness, love, etc. For someone to truly follow Jesus and do what he did they have to be prepared for others to look at them funny, to bash them, to want to hurt them, and for some to want them killed.
Living life following Jesus is going to be uncomfortable, unsafe, and unknown. The true Jesus follower is going to be pushed by God into circumstances that He knows we will feel uncomfortable in. But, in order to grow we have to be moldable, we have to be flexible. We must be willing to go wherever he asks us, to say whatever he tells us, to pray for people we don’t know, to share Jesus with strangers on the streets. And even though it can be so uncomfortable, it is so worth it.
Last week when I was at work a lady came in that stops by at least once a week. Her pain medicine is frequently not sent in correctly, so when she walked in the door I already knew what she was coming for. I had chatted with her many times before about her life and her health, and I always felt like “God, can you do something for her? I know you can, but will you?” So this night when she was in, I felt God so strongly ask me to pray with her. It was almost 7 pm, we were preparing to close the clinic. She waited in the lobby while a nurse tried to figure out the medicine mishap. I ran upstairs to put the key away and when I was coming back down I asked God for an opportunity to pray with her.
I got to my desk, she was still sitting there in the waiting room, and then the phone rang. The nurse gave me news for her that I knew would upset her. So I wrote the message down, and then I wrote my cell number and name on another sticky note. I walked out and sat down next to her. I said I didn’t have good news and gave her the note with the doctors message on it. Then I looked at her and said “I wanted to ask you, do you believe in God?” And she said yes, so I asked if I could pray with her, and she said yes again.
So, I prayed with her there in the waiting room, it was just us and God. I prayed for her body to be healed, for the cancer to not return despite the odds that it could, for the pain to go away and that she would not have to rely on pain medicine for the rest of her life. I prayed for her to find a new closeness with Jesus, and to rejoice knowing that he loves her so much and wants to see her in good health. And then I gave her the other note and said if she ever needed anything she could call me.
It’s moments like that when I really feel close to God. In those moments I grow in his love, and my own love for Him grows. This short clip from Judah Smith really mimics this concept:
https://www.facebook.com/judahsmith/videos/10154171327339270/?pnref=story
So, are you a fan of Jesus, or are you a follower of Jesus? Are you just visiting with him on Sunday, or are you inviting him into the rest of your week? Do you intently pursue him and desire to do the things that he did? My challenge for you today would be to start following what Jesus did, actually doing what he asks, and step out into the unknown, allowing yourself into uncomfortable situations. Seek his face, get overwhelmed by his love for you. Your desire for more of Jesus will grow when you start giving him more time in your life. And I promise you, it’s worth it. Jesus is worth it.
Yes, it’s going to be rough and scary sometimes, but remember when Peter stepped out of the boat? He began to walk on the water. And even when he became afraid and started to sink, Jesus was right there to catch him.
“God intends our lives to be full of movement. The operative word in our belief system is not stay, it’s go.”
Stop staying where you’re at, and start going towards the destination God is calling you to.
In His Love,
Hope
*Praise report: I am now about $3,500 away from my next goal of $10,000! Will you consider making a donation towards this goal? It is due September 16th in order for me to launch in October with my squad. It would be the biggest blessing to have you behind me, helping me get to where God is calling me. I am so thankful for my donors, this isn’t possible without you!*
