FAQ’s About Life
John 21:19 “Follow me!” Do as I do, be as I be, live as I live and love as I love.
It’s very easy to follow someone in an earthly sense, it requires no special conviction or commitment, just some degree of trust or perhaps desperation. In the many moments when we feel most lost or helpless, anyone offering direction or assistance might be welcomed. This is when care is most required. Yes we trust family and friends because they are just that. We might also trust those who are labeled as experts in their chosen field. But when we stand objectively aside and ponder our own short history, it is possible to see that assistance offered by those who act out of human love, loyalty or professional obligation, but who do not live God centered lives, have not always been as helpful as we’d hoped. When Jesus said “Follow me!“, he was saying trust me, for I have only your best interests in mind. Jesus was not conflicted by the challenges in His own life when He said these words and He certainly isn’t conflicted now. Christ Jesus is the perfect model and administrator of selflessness, objectivity and of wisdom. The perfect counselor and minister.
Without first having a long and lasting relationship, it is difficult to trust anyone. Lacking any relationship at all with God, but expecting Him to watch out for our best interests, places the entire burden on Him. Certainly God can handle any burden, but remember Jesus said “Follow me!“, not go where you want, do what you want, act however you want to. A personal relationship by definition is a connection between parties, by blood, marriage, kinship or love. A relationship with God, is all of these and needs to be nurtured accordingly. God’s Will simply is, God’s help requires our obedience.
Often in life we are faced with making difficult choices, but we needn’t make them alone. We might one day, need to depend on someone who has no relationship with God, but we can use our relationship, to carry God into that dependence so that He can oversee our welfare. Following Jesus means paying attention, then we can make every effort to; do as He does, be as He is, live as He lives and love as He loves. First come to know Him, then you will come to trust and follow Him. As you get closer to Him, you might find others being drawn closer to you. If that happens, don’t forget to introduce your new acquaintance to God.
JC Calkins with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE
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