Today's passage is in regards to some of Jesus' original followers choosing to turn their backs on him and go their own way. Jesus always gives us a choice. He never forces us to follow him. He never forces us to trust him. There are many people in this life who think they follow Jesus, when in actuality they really go their own way by their own sinful attitudes. Sometimes this attitude can be somewhat subtle in the way we trust or don't trust him. It can be quite risky to follow him. Always remember the following:
We must continually maintain an adventurous attitude toward Him, despite any potential personal risk.
Life indeed is an adventure that calls us to trust him even when things don't make sense and in the face of difficulty. Sometimes it seems like we should worry about the future or ask questions about why certain events were allowed to happen. In our human and finite way, we think it would've been better if things had gone smoothly and more happily. "If I were God," we say..."I would never allow hunger or suffering to happen in this world." We are not called to understand everything God orchestrates in this world. That would be impossible. What we are called to do is much more simple.
When God gives you a clear determination of His will for you, all your striving to maintain that relationship by some particular method is completely unnecessary. All that is required is to live a natural life of absolute dependence on Jesus Christ. Never try to live your life with God in any other way than His way. And His way means absolute devotion to Him. Showing no concern for the uncertainties that lie ahead (or behind) is the secret of walking with Jesus.
Simple? Yes, but sometimes a tall order. It is simple if you stop and understand that you need to surrender your own understanding to him and lean entirely on him in everything. And I mean everything! As a Christian, you are called upon to believe that everything is a part of his divine purpose even suffering and uncertainties. He has these uncertainties in his hands and they are certainly not uncertain to him.
Don't go away. Keep following him. Keep trusting him. Keep believing. Surrender your lack of understanding to him.
I am learning these lessons over and over. It's been a week of uncertainty in many ways, but God is faithful. Where I wasn't sure whether or not I wanted doors opened or closed, He continues to open them and give me peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the devotions lately. They have been an affirmation to me in my journey. I love you.
Sometimes when I come back and read these devotionals, I can hardly believe that they were written by me. It sounds like some great advice....that I have failed to follow once again.
ReplyDeleteI have gone my own way too many times. In my higher mood swings I feel confident in my own ability to go about my life and then the depression hits and I find myself laying on the ground...bleeding. I slip into the self-loathing mode.and satan is laughing once again.
I come back and read this and it seems like some other, wiser person.