This week has been one of the hardest for me since the boys have been home. Both little boys were sick. Bill had to get ready to leave for Honduras. After the boys got well, they were fussing and scrapping. Washing got behind. Mommy is tired. However, as I type this, the boys came up, pointed to the screen, and hollered “Daddy!”. Talk about cheering me up. Oops. Now one is in time out. Sigh.
Whew. Now, where was I? Oh, I was going to say that “going” for God is not always easy. On you or on those you leave behind. I am reading a book Bill gave me for Valentine’s Day. The name of it is Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. The premise is that Jesus is looking for followers, not fans. We are studying the book of John in our small group. We are in the midst of John 4, 5, and 6. Funny, Kyle mentions John 6 in his book. Where Jesus feeds the 5000 with a few loaves and fish. Lots of people stick around till they are hungry again. Then Jesus calls them out. Jesus has to be enough, not what we can get from Him. Following Him is not going to be easy, so we must count the cost (Luke 14:28).
This last week reminds me (and anticipation of next week) that following Jesus is not easy. What are the two Greatest Commandments? Love God and love neighbor. What is the Great Commission? Go! Even when the way is not easy. Even when it fights against every bit of your flesh to do it.
Wait. Jesus says His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). God’s way is not easy in the human/physical sense, but in the spiritual sense. We have all the help we need if we abide in Him. The Holy Spirit is there to help us every step. The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Amazingly enough, if we truly die to ourselves and follow Him, our needs will be met. Not wants, mind you. Needs. We will never hunger (John 6:35) or thirst (John 4:14) again.
Love, Lori
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