Following Jesus Is Not For Wimps

TheNerdsWon.png

Just recently I was on vacation with my family down in Florida. Part of that vacation time was to visit family and when I travel down to central Florida to visit family, I find myself in the heart and epicenter of the retired world. During one visit while browsing in a local shop I saw a funny and clever t-shirt that said, "Getting Old Ain't For Wimps".  And while that sentiment may be true, I think that it is even more certain to say that "following Jesus" ain't for wimps either.

You don't have to be a Christian too long to know that being a follower of Jesus isn't easy.

  • It's messy

  • It challenges us

  • It provokes us

  • It is not always simple

  • It calls for surrender

  • It demands that we die - to ourself

G.K. Chesterton wrote this very insightful thought:
“Christianity has not so much been tried and found wanting, as it has been found difficult and left untried.” (Tweet This)

So how do we follow Jesus when it is so hard, difficult and challenging? Contrary to popular practice, the answer to following Jesus isn't found in trying harder, gritting your teeth and striving. 

Rather following Jesus is simply about relationship and rest.  It is about leaning into Him and resting in Him with complete surrender and trust. It is about knowing the truth and efficacy of the gospel when it says that in Jesus we are found completely righteous, accepted and loved.

We are to rest and trust in that reality and truth. This is why I appreciate Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Following Jesus certainly isn't for wimps, but when life is hard and challenging, or when there is a cost for following and obeying Him....Jesus simply asks and invites us to rest, trust and abide in Him.

FaithBill ReichartComment