To Really Follow Jesus
Originally posted on my previous blog, this post challenged me as I wrote it, because to really follow Jesus is no walk in the park — but it is the only path of life.
What does it mean to follow Jesus? To really follow Him.
It means taking up our cross daily and walking the road less traveled.
It means choosing humility over pride and joy over defeat.
It means embracing the challenges that invade the comfortable corners.
It means keeping hope alive during the changing seasons of life.
It means looking different and soaring to heights others dare not go.
It means trusting that He is greater when fear screams.
It means loving the least of these and praying for our greatest enemies.
It means guarding our words, knowing the power they hold.
It means accepting His grace when human motives drive our actions.
It means having peace that surpasses understanding when the unthinkable strikes.
In means forgiving those who pierce us with throbbing pain.
It means living with eternal eyes that see the needs of a hurting world.
It means quenching our thirst for more with His Love that satisfies.
It means clinging to our need for Him with each breath that fills our lungs.
It means risking for the sake of the Kingdom, daring to be brave and bold.
It means dying to ourselves so that we can truly live.
It means taking the wildest ride with The One who holds the keys to Heaven.
To follow Jesus. To really follow Him…
It means that we are free — not in the way the world defines free, but in the way His nail-pierced Hands bled for our eternal freedom. It means that we believe with every bone in our body that we are Children of The One True King. It means that we have learned the art of letting go and letting Jesus guide our every faith-filled step. And it means that we anticipate with great hope the day when we will see the Face of The One we follow now.
To follow Him is to know Him, and to know Him is the very core of our design.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7: 13-14 (NIV)
What about you? What does it mean to you to follow Jesus?
In a world that is so confused about what a true follower of Christ looks like, it’s wonderful to find your thoughts that clearly challenge us just as Christ did every person he came in contact with. Thank you for your uplifting as well as challenging words, so sweetly and humbly spoken.
Thanks for uplifting me with your words, Daisy. It’s good to be in the company of like-minded women who desire to journey on the road less traveled. One brave step at a time…
yet another great one. I had to chuckle at the verse you posted just because it brought to mind the scene in “Facing the Giants” And it’s one of my favorites. Where a coach is instructing one of his football players…have you seen the movie? Anyway…Thanks for sharing and have a beautiful day lovie!
Ah yes, I remember that line — we have the movie. 🙂 Birthday hugs to you, Heather!
Dearest Hannah,
Thank you so much for this wonderful post. After a long day of following Jesus I was coming to the edge of my self. I knew coming here, I find the Lord’s encouragement and a kind cheer to keep on this “road less traveled”.
Oh, there are days it’s hard. But then God is so good. He plants these words of hope on the side of the road and gives our tired hearts a good shove 🙂
You were that shove tonight.
Thanks for being you and letting God use you!!!
Much love your way, dear sister~
I’m keeping on with you on this road less traveled, dear Heidi. I get worn too, in need of a shove to keep going and not give up — and I’m so thankful we can encourage each other on. 🙂
So many times your words have come at just the right time, encouraging me right back. And this time is no different. Thanks for being you and allowing your words to bless me!! Grateful to have such a wonderful sister in Christ!
Beautiful! I can see why it challenged you 🙂
That it did. 🙂 Thanks Christi!
I’m contemplating this post. I want to be a true follower of Christ. Right now I’m learning how to trust Him through the hard seasons. Not always easy. I’m learning so much as I ride the waves.
I want to be a true follow of Christ too, through every season. Sending you hugs, friend.