He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you to but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8. ESV
I have a confession to make. I sometimes overthink life. The should’s, the could’s the what if’s try to sabotage my peace, my direction and my life. This verse is one of my “reset” verses. It brings me back to what actually our God does actually require of us, as His children. He wants us to follow Him.
Years ago my daughter graduated from then, Whitworth College (it is now an university). The President of the school gave an impactful graduation message. He admonished the students: some of you have chosen to follow Jesus Christ and His ways, others for whatever your own reasons have chosen not to follow Him. I would encourage both sets to make sure that it is the real Jesus you are following, or it is the real Jesus you have chosen not to follow. He went on to encourage those who chose not to identify with Jesus to make sure they weren’t rejecting Him because of His representatives on earth. It is my heart cry to be such an example of a believer that I wouldn’t hinder others from knowing our precious Lord by my behavior. But this week I began to examine maybe there are flaws in my thoughts about this REAL Jesus. Do I really comprehend Him in His fullness?
This week I meditated on Luke 12:49-50: I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning. I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No. I have come to divide people against each other. When I pray and think of the Lord, I don’t think of Him as a divider. But, obviously, He is.
As I read these verses I found myself praying Father, will you show me the real Jesus? Who you actually are, instead of maybe the one I have pieced together for my own benefit. I used to think of you first and foremost as Savior and friend. Savior from my sins and myself. Friend so I would not be alone, a friend is someone we can talk to, share with and if needed cry with. Each of these are very self centered and immature. They are all about me. Very self-centered.
Then I began understanding His Lordship. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. I Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV. I am only beginning to understand what this means. Sunday morning I surrendered this week to the Lord in a different manner than usual. I simply prayed: Father lead and guide this week for me, to do much or little. I thank you for ordering my days and interactions as you will. In Jesus’ name, amen. The interesting thing was I wasn’t (anxious about this week. I wasn’t concerned or worried about anything. But the peace that descended on my heart went to a new level. Surrender is such a key part to a life that includes the REAL Jesus. If you love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15. NIV.
As Monday came around, I found myself making phone calls, meeting with people and flowing from one thing to another. The same thing happened on Tuesday. A chance encounter led to going to the movies and watching Young Washington! What a surprise blessing. I haven’t been to a movie theater in years. Wednesday plans got switched and my son’s in-laws brought lunch over so we could eat together, and then I was able to help my sister. So far today, Thursday, I had a surprise blessing from one of my granddaughters. So surrendering to the Lord and His will is not always denial, hardship and limitations. I don’t know if all of these blessings would have happened if I hadn’t prayed, but I do know I was much more aware of HIs leading because I did. The REAL Jesus we follow leads us through valleys and up to mountain tops. The good news is He shows up as Savior and Friend when we allow Him to be Lord. Keep on my fellow believers. As for God, his way is perfect. Psalm 18:30. NIV
No matter your circumstance, He is with you my friends. Stop and take a moment, seek Him in the midst of your circumstance and ask Him to show you what is good, how to act justly, to love mercy and most of all walk humbly with your God. You will never go wrong.
Father, I thank you for helping us understand how to follow the Real Jesus. Not one we make in our own hearts, but the one you truly are. Thank you for helping us be a light in the darkness to lead others to this real Jesus, In Your Name, amen.
Faith Encounters 