What place, what circumstances, what limitations could you possibly face that would keep you from following Jesus and living fully for him?
There is an answer, of course. But only one. Because even a jail cell or an aggressively oppressive and anti-Christian country can’t stop God’s people from loving Jesus and living for him. Someone might try to keep you from loving Jesus. But at best, they might jail you and you’ll sing your praise songs from the cell. Or, like Radical Islam is currently doing all over the world, end you for following Christ. But then you get to be in the very presence of God.
So what could you possible face that would keep you from following Jesus? Yeah, there’s an answer. But it’s not illness or disease. It’s not lack of money or a car that won’t run. So what might it be? What limitation could you possibly face that would keep you from living fully for Jesus?
Here’s the answer. You ready for this? You. Just you. You are the only thing that can stop you from following Jesus. Not the Enemy. Because your God is more powerful. Not another person, because they can’t control your heart. Not a country or a company or a terrorist organization. Because none of them can even TOUCH a heart that longs to worship, pray, praise, live for God. Not guilt, because Christ’s death paid for ALL our sin: past, present and future. Not some church somewhere- because you only follow them to the degree that they follow Jesus.
But…you. Right? You are the only one who is powerful enough to keep you from experiencing all that God wants for you. Because while God wants what’s best for us- living fully and freely in by his Spirit for his glory- he rarely forces it upon us. So we can choose to chase the things that we think will make us happy. We can live for relationships outside his will. We can argue for our rights and trample upon his desires for us.
And he’ll call us to himself. Love us. Draw us. But…he won’t force us. One of the scariest things about our God…sometimes he simply lets us have what we refuse to give up. And…in that moment…we’re arguing for our own limitations. And consequences. And.its.not.God’s.fault.
God gave you the power to choose. And when every excuse falls away. When every rationalization is laid bare. When the blame-shifting no longer works. What’s left is…you. And your choices.
It’s not your schedule. Or your need to relax. Or your loneliness. Or your hurt and pain from someone else. Or how you grew up. God is greater than all of those. It’s your choice.
“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. THOSE WHO cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
FLEE the evil desires of youth and PURSUE righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels”- 2 Timothy 2
Dude, ball is in your court. Fortunately, your God is both rooting you on and supernaturally empowering every step you take toward him.