What does it mean to follow Jesus? This is the question of all questions, right? In today’s world, we are inundated with messages—from social media, our families, the books we read or watch on TV, our classes, movies, well-meaning people, our teachers, our friends, and even strangers—and we are constantly being told how to act, how to feel.
Sometimes these messages are beautiful, encouraging, empowering. Sometimes they are angry and frustrating. And sometimes they contradict each other: The world tells us that faith restricts us, the Bible tells us in Him that we are set free. The world entices us with promises of temporary pleasure, God’s word encourages us to wait, and trust in the unseen.
It is very difficult to know who we are, what we should do, which way we are meant to go.
It is very difficult to make sense of our existence when it feels like there is so much we don’t know. When God longs to protect us, but we cannot always feel His presence in our lives.
When we are given many blessings, yet we always try to tell ourselves that these things happen by accident, and not by the faithfulness of our loving Father. If we believe, but then we experience brokenness and our minds are clouded with doubt.
We are told to have faith, to trust, to be Christians who live like Jesus, but sometimes it is very difficult to know what that means.
But the Bible gives this truth, “my commandment is this: Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12). And maybe the answer is right in front of us.
Maybe following Jesus doesn’t mean you’re always secure or strong, it’s not about having the right answers or knowing what we’re doing or where we’re headed. Perhaps following Jesus is not living a spotless life (because we know it’s impossible), or having this holy understanding of what is to come.
Perhaps following Jesus is not doubt, but understanding that we are imperfect and this will happen. Perhaps to follow Jesus is not to know everything, but to close our eyes and move forward in faith, accepting whatever comes because we know that he is next to us.
Perhaps following Jesus is learning to shut out the messages of the world and focus on the one truth set before us—that we are loved by Him, and we must love for His sake.
Do not imitate this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and ascertain what God’s will is—his good, lovely and perfect will.
Romans 12:12
God’s word says this—that we should not allow ourselves to be involved in the lies of this world, not to allow our hearts to be distracted from His good truth, to feel confident in His promises to us, and that we should love ourselves.
Therefore, our challenge is not to be “perfect” Christians, not to find the answer to every question, not to always know what we are saying or not to doubt our faith. Our challenge is to know what is happening all the time and change our lives, or to reach this place where nothing bad happens (because unfortunately, that is not how life works).
Our challenge is not to strive for this good, but to accept that we are human and messy. And pouring himself out into the world as he poured himself into us.
Be a Christian who ‘does.’ That’s the goal. Not standing aside, standing still. Not watching as the world crumbles, as people hate, as disaster destroys cities, as depression destroys people. Don’t turn the other way as bullies pick on a kid in the hallway or your boss makes racist remarks to a co-worker. Not passing by when you see someone struggling on the side of the road or hear the cry of someone you don’t like very much.
No, we won’t always know what to do or how to do it. No, we will not always understand what God’s plan is, or what his hope is for our lives. No, we will not be perfect.
But in our impermanence he creates beauty. In our sadness, He made light. In our hurt, He brings healing. In our zeal, He makes a purpose.
So be a Christian who does. The one you like. Who is donating. Who cares.
Be a Christian who pours out hope and encouragement to people who need it, who shares the truth as if it were the most important words to ever leave human lips. Because it is.
Be a Christian who acknowledges all the broken parts, but instead of holding back, you use that brokenness to build a lost person. Be a fearless Christian because following God is following the truth.
And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a sweet offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:2
Be an active Christian. Not a shy Christian. Not a passive Christian. Not a perfect Christian. But he who loves with all that he has, because our Father loved us that way first.
What does it mean to follow Jesus? Not to always know what to do or where to go, not to understand God’s purpose and plan at every time of the year, to be spotless and beautiful and bright.
But to love. In full. Fearlessly. And with everything.
