Growing up as a follower of Christ, I used to have different and misconstrued notions of what it meant to be a "good follower".
It wasn't until just recently I realized being a Christ follower and living for Jesus is not necessarily all about the boxes getting checked off, the "t"s and "i"s getting crossed and dotted, or making it to church every weekend.
It's about living WITH Him.
You see, within the pages of His book contains the greatest love story this world has ever seen. And y'all, God's love for us... I don't even believe we can fully comprehend its magnitude! As a parent and a mother myself, my throat and heart constrict at the thought of sacrificing one of my sons for the multitudes. A sacrifice so paramount that people like you and I, reckless imperfect sinners, could one day experience the glory that is the kingdom of heaven.
God passionately yearns for a relationship with us. Our God, who loves so deeply and so greatly, wants to have a relationship with every last one of us.
"You know the Bible calls the church Christ's bride. So it's like standing before Jesus, completely exposed, all of our flaws and insecurities and—worse than that—our sins are right there in front of his face, and against all reason and rationale, the song of grace becomes startlingly, exhilaratingly true because the Groom looks at us and declares us beautiful. Spotless. Righteous. Justified."
Oh how He loves us!
It is beyond commendable to be able to say: "Yes, I haven't missed a weekend of church." "Yes, I tithe regularly." "Yes, I volunteer my time to those in need."
All wonderful things we should strive for— I have to believe that without a relationship with Christ, or if you're just going along and checking boxes, you are in danger of missing out on an abundance of blessings.
You see, living FOR Christ, is by living WITH Christ. It's choosing to lean on Him and pursue a relationship with Him before all else. It is through Him and by Him that hearts will be changed. By saying yes to inviting God into your daily life, you will WANT to be bold for him and step outside your comfort zone. Because it's not about embracing the uncomfortable, but embracing Him and watching Him change your definition of comfortable. You will proudly defend His name and not be afraid to show it. But moreso, you will realize it's about loving Him back. Loving Him is actually the easy part; God loving us cost Him His son.
Heavenly Father,
Oh your love for us is beyond our comprehension.
Thank you for loving me and pursing me, even in the seasons where I feel like I am barely hanging onto you. Change my heart. Change my definition of comfortable. Live WITH me. Because I so desperately want to love you. Transform my life and shine through me for others to see. Help me to bring others to you. Lord, you are so so good to me. Thank you.
In your glorious name I pray,
Amen.
Something to think about, something to pray about. Wishing you a joy-filled Christmas season!
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