Will You Follow Him?
How far would you follow God? Would you die for him?
This is a question that comes to my mind a lot. It is a tough one!
I would hope that when it came to making a decision on following God wherever he may lead that I would take up and follow him. That I would defend my faith even if facing a life or death situation.
I came across this scripture the other day that got me thing about this again:
By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus… The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased.” Lk. 15:1-2
I got to thinking…do I go to those people who are truly in need the way God would have, or do I disassociate with them and lead a “clean” Christian life? Honestly, I probably do not do nearly enough of seeking out those I could help. Is it because of the fear of what could happen to me? Is it where seeking out those might lead me? A little of both probably, yes.
Yes we have to be smart about where we go and when we go there, but what about the guy standing on the corner asking for cash? I could have helped him. Did I pass him by thinking “ah someone else will help him out” or “he will probably just the money and go by alcohol or drugs”?
It is not my place to judge though, and shame on me for ever doing it. I could have instead of giving them cash given them a hot meal, a bottle of water, or even a jacket.
Scary isn’t it how often we overlook those that we really need to show the Love of Christ to the most!
Donald Miller wrote something in his book Searching for God Knows What that has stuck with me. he was talking about Jesus acossiating with theses types of people and he wrote that what if Christ returned and you did not even know it? What if instead of returning on this gleaming white stallion, full of beauty, he returned on a donkey? What if instead of going to our mega churches on his return he goes to a local bar and acossiates with those people he acossiated with in the Bible?
I often think, if He did return in this manner would these people be able to say “yea, I have heard of You” someone came by hear and talked to me the other day and mention You. Really nice guy, could really tell he had a passion and love for You.
A very motivating book that I read titled Under the Overpass talks about the homeless throughout our country and what they face daily, and asks “who is going to help these people if we do not?”. If follows a couple of guys around the United States as they live among the homeless. Very good read. You can see my review here.
I hope that I am not afraid to lead wherever God takes me, and that I show the Love if Christ to those around me on a daily basis. God might not lead me to Africa on missions, but if he puts someone in my paththat I can help I hope that I do!
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Awesome! Just the title was good in itself! This was a great post!
Thanks Brandon!
I agree.
Matthew 25:31-46 comes to mind, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?” I believe God puts in situations to actionably give Him glory. We need to take advantage of them, for sure!
Amen brother!
A very convicting post my friend. Well done.
I think my biggest challenge is being too busy. I only sleep 4-5 hours a night and feel like I’m going full bore the other 20. I feel like I keep putting of life (church, serving, vacations, books, etc) until after graduation this summer.
I feel the same way a lot of the time. And when I do have a break I want to be selfish with that time.
You guys already know the path Kim and I are taking right now, and we seriously have no clue what we’re doing other than knowing God’s going to be there right next to us, to guide us.
Ask me the same question a few years ago, I’d have given you a completely different, and selfish answer.
I heard the “would you die for Him?” question over and over again when I was younger. Everone said yes. Then I look around at us and realized that very few were living for him and doubted the truthfulness of our answers.
Great post. Even better question. I remember when a couple of years ago when my wife and I were at a grocery store and I ‘felt’ led to go and talk to a your girl who had obvious disabilities, but I didn’t. I got scared, started to make excuses and tried to ignore the prompting. I would love to say that after a couple more times I went and prayed for this young girl and I led her to Jesus, but the truth is, I didn’t. I chickened out. I remember driving home and talking with my wife about how I was disobedient to the promptings and we made a decision to not allow that to happen again. I try my best to follow the ‘promptings’ and it has been cool to see God move when I do follow. This post is a great reminder for us all. Thanks Adam.
No problem. I have had the same prompting and not followed as well. Very regretful…
I am a big believer that the Bible is the source of our authority and we should hold to that. Through discipline and obedience we are in a process where we are being conformed more to the image of Christ. Jesus made it a point to associate with those that are unlovable, unkind, rejected, etc to the religious elite. I can’t help but believe that the more we become like Christ, the more we will have a heart to reach out to the same people that Jesus did.
Amen Jimmy. Totally agree. thanks for sharing!