Tag Archives: Following Jesus

Pastoral thoughts

I’m Out

Shark Tank is an interesting TV show. When investors are interested in a business they offer a deal. But if there is something about the business they do not like or makes them wary, or it won’t – in their opinion – be profitable or worth their time, they say “I’m out” and ‘walk away’ from offering a deal. They don’t want to take a risk with their money.

One night it hit me – I, too, have said “I’m out.” Not in relation to making a huge monetary investment, but in my commitment to follow Jesus. I began to think of all the times I’ve hesitated to speak up for Jesus, refused to get involved in something because it was controversial, felt unqualified to go where He was leading me, or didn’t want to risk my reputation. It wasn’t a good feeling.

brown and white bread on white table

But then I remembered I’m not alone. Jesus spoke eloquently about being the Bread of Life and how He was from ‘the Father.’ It was a lot to take in and sounded strange. In fact it sounded downright scary. John tells us, “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him” (John 6:66). They said “I’m out.” How about you? Have you ever told Jesus “I out?”

It’s so easy to do today. The political and cultural climates have, in many ways, put Christians on the defensive. To speak up, get involved and truly follow Jesus will lead to opposition. Criticism – and sometimes even punishment – will result. We may lose our popularity or reputation. We’re not used to that and not sure we can withstand the pressure. So we quietly say “I’m out” and walk away. We don’t want to take the risk.

Jesus knew it would be this way. “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause’” (John 15:18-25 NLT). And here’s Jesus’ reason for sharing this: “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning” (John 16:1-4 NLT).

Thousands of Christians around the world have been experiencing this persecution and hardship far beyond what we can imagine. They have experienced the harsh reality of Jesus’ words. But they have stood fast even while paying a great price. They are our inspiration as they have also experienced this reality: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

When have you said “I’m out?” How or where do you need to take a risk and get back to following Jesus? How will you do so? And how can you support and encourage our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world?** Are you out – or in?

**Four organizations that provide information and opportunities:

Family Research Council:                  https://www.frc.org/international-religious-freedom
Open Doors: https://www.opendoorsusa.org/
I Pray: https://www.ipray.me/
Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com/

Pastoral thoughts

It’s All in the Footwork

Proper footwork is important. To dance well, to hit or field a baseball, to be a good defender in any sport, to play soccer well, or to play a pipe organ beautifully takes good footwork. I’m thinking about this because last week my wife Barb and I had the opportunity to help out at the Friendship Camp at Cran-Hill Ranch. She was asked to be the RN for the week and I went along to help out if and where needed.

Throughout the week we were all engaged by the chaplain, John Cleveringa. He did some wonderful presentations on the theme verse from Proverbs 4:26-27 (New Living Translation). “Mark out a straight path for your feet … Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” Near the end of the week Barb and I walked one of the nature trails and doing so actually made the verse come alive even more. Here are a few brief reminders and lessons the verse and trail provided for me.

“Mark out (make) a straight path for your feet…” We are not, at birth, automatically placed on a life path. We either wander aimlessly

through life or we choose a path. When Barb and I decided to take a walk we first had to choose which trail, which path to take. There were plenty of options and none of them came to us – we had to choose. The same is true in life. There are an overwhelming number of paths to walk through life. At some point we must choose which one to walk. John the Baptist was called to “guide our feet in the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79) He did so by pointing people to Jesus who said of Himself “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) While ‘choosing Jesus’ certainly means we have the guarantee of eternal life with Him, it also means He is the straight path for our feet – choosing Jesus is to commit to walk after, to follow Him.”

Don’t get sidetracked…” The reality is there are many paths that can be followed. As Barb and I walked our chosen trail we came across several side trails. We had no idea whether they went to a nicer place or if they led only deeper into the woods. We were tempted to walk some of them. It was easy to get sidetracked. So it is with life. There are always others paths along the way, some appealing and some not. It’s easy to let our curiosity get the better of us and change paths. But the wise preacher reminds us that it is not wise to do so: “Don’t get sidetracked.” Changing paths could lead to trouble, danger or dead-ends. It can lead to delay in reaching our chosen goal and destination.

But how do we stay on track? “…keep your feet from following evil.” To ‘keep’ is to continue or cause to continue in a specified condition, position, course…to continue doing repeatedly or habitually. As we walked Barb and I had to keep our feet headed in the direction of the trail we had chosen. It took some effort and discipline, just like staying on track in life. It is difficult, if not impossible to stay on the chosen path without daily, repeated, habitual disciplines. (1) They help us stay on our chosen course to avoid “evil’ – the trouble, danger and dead-ends. Spending time with God through reading the Word and praying helps keep our feet on the path. Through these disciplines we are shown the steps to take. As the Psalmist put it “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105 New Living Translation)

While keeping our feet on the path is often very difficult, God offers His help along the way. “Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.” (Psalm 66:9 New Living Translation) And He also offers some very precious promises as incentive for doing so. As The Message states Ps. 119:1-8 – “You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set.”

In light of these promises the Psalmist reaffirms his commitment to proper footwork and I invite you to do the same. “You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me.”
(1) I acknowledge that there are other Spiritual Disciplines but I am focusing here on the ones more apt to be daily.