Following Jesus is Not Easy

I have to be honest, following Jesus is not easy. Especially if you follow the Jesus who is committed to our growth and maturity as human beings made in the image of God.  A lot of us (including myself) are prone to avoidance and staying in the same place. We avoid the places in our lives that need healing, current circumstances that are difficult to handle, and decisions about the future.

However, God is committed to engaging those places where we have weakness and are scared to tread, and he desires for us to do the same. His goal is our sanctification. Consider this passage from Hebrews:

"And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

                     “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
                       and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,  
                      because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
                       and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

(Hebrews 12: 5-11 emphasis mine)


I have avoided maturity in my own life like the plague. When faced with a choice I have chosen to not carry my cross more times than I would care to admit. I instead choose anxiety & fear over death to myself so that I may experience the resurrection of Jesus. 

This cannot be the way of a follower of Jesus. We cannot so easily succumb to fear and the desire to see our kingdom come, our will be done. I recently heard a pastor say that anxiety and fear are the direct fruit of pride, the result of our way being correct and the worry that God wont get it right.

As you have followed Christ, think back to where you were and to where you are now. Have you grown? Do you look more like Jesus today than you did yesterday? a week ago? a year ago?

That's the measuring stick. Not our accomplishments, not our public image, not our popularity. We can feel frustrated or even hurt by God when things dont turn out the way we thought in our lives. Next time those feelings of hurt or frustration towards God come up, allow yourself to see a bigger picture, outside of current circumstances.

"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

(1 Corinthians 13:12 emphasis mine)

God is big, very big. He is committed to our development and growth. He is committed to loving us fully and doing whats best. He is committed to our restoration in Him so that we can be that for everyone we encounter.

We are called to be a light in dark places, and you cant give what you dont have. 

We are called to make disciples and lead people towards Christ, and you cant lead where you haven't been.