Following God’s Path

(Click on the title for the full post…shortened to fit more posts on the page)

Last night I read Matthew 10. In this chapter Jesus was talking to his disciples about what they must do. The part that I really focused on in this chapter and really thought about was all throughout about when Jesus was telling them what the disciples would be facing. He told them straight up that serving him would be one of the hardest things they would have to do. They might be beaten, put in jail, etc. all because they went around proclaiming the name of Jesus. Yet, notice Jesus does not stop there. He makes reference that God will never leave them when they are put in situations like this. For example, he tells them that if they stand trial God will give them the right words to say at the right time. Most notably that it will not be us speaking but God speaking through us.

How cool, yet scary is that? Serving God clearly has some really big downsides to it. I think it really separates the really strong Christians with the hypocrites. To truly be a follower of God we need to be willing to accept the risks that come about when proclaiming his name. It goes back to the stuff I was talking about in my last email. We love the comfort and security we have right now and don’t want to take the risks of losing it. Yet, Jesus tells us when we proclaim his name we will be potentially beaten, taken to court and people will hate us.

Yet, if we are willing to take the risks something amazing will happen. God will speak through us and will always be with us. To me that seems worth the risks. Yet, why sometimes am I so hesitant? I think to truly take the amazing leap of faith I need to take risks for God.