Tag: Peter

Yes. Periodt: When Following the Lord Means Giving Up Your Plans

If we’re honest, following the Lord is not always “easy” or “fun.” It is definitely fulfilling and worth it, but it does call for sacrifice. Jesus said it himself, “If anyone would be my disciple, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

Yes

There’s a question I get asked every. single. time. I converse with someone about the World Race.

It’s not, “How did the Lord lead you to this decision?” It’s not, “How can I pray for you?” Nor is it “How are you feeling?” (although close but differing in the response).

The number one question I get asked about the World Race is

“ARE YOU EXCITED!?”

No, is what I want to say.

It is asked with the utmost love, sincerity, and respect on their end, but it is honestly the hardest question for me to answer. It’s the question I never want to answer.

It presumes I should be excited about this journey.

However, sweet friends, I don’t think excited is the word I would use. 

Then starts the battle within me because I want to be excited.

I want to tell people, YES it’s going to be amazing.

But I don’t want to lie.

I don’t want to paint a picture of a life that’s not true.

If we’re honest, following the Lord is not always “easy” or “fun.” It is definitely fulfilling and worth it, but it does call for sacrifice. Jesus said it himself, “If anyone would be my disciple, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

“If anyone would be my disciple, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

I can’t say I’m excited about the “denying myself” part.

I would not say this is the life I would have planned for myself (ESPECIALLY not the living out of one backpack for a year part). I’ve never desired to do overseas missions. I have been adamant that the world of America needs missionaries here that will stand up for Christ and share the Gospel boldly.  Furthermore, what I truly desire is to raise up a family that would love and serve the Lord and make disciples through my children.

But I’m comforted through the examples in the Bible of people who were placed in similar circumstances because of what God called them to.

I don’t think during those moments they were excited.

If anyone truly comprehended what Jesus was going to do on the cross, do you think they would’ve gone up to him saying, “Yo, Jesus! That’s so awesome you’re about to take on the sins of the world so God’s children can be united back with the Father. You excited!?”

Yeah, I don’t think that would’ve gone over that well (granted, my Jesus is slick with His responses so He probably would’ve answered in a parable getting to the heart of the question).

But really, think about it. I can only imagine the anguish he had in those moments of knowing he was going to do this regardless because of us and because of the love he had for the father.

Or even Abraham.  Could you imagine someone telling him, “Man, it’s so crazy God said you would be the Father of many nations! You excited about going up that mountain to sacrifice your son?”

Yeah, no.

What about Mary? Think about when she was told that the Messiah would come through her. A virgin? Pregnant? Not yet married? And all she responded was, “I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Let’s consider Paul’s calling during the road to Damascus. Or even Peter’s call and the way he would die.

What about Moses?

And we can’t forget Jonah! (Now, that’s a clear account of what it means to NOT be excited).

But really think about all those people and how God used them. Think about what that really meant for their lives.

I don’t think if anyone asked the before mentioned people if they were excited about what was ahead, they would have said, “yes”. But I think they were humbled to know that the Lord CHOSE to use them. Scripture says, “What is man that you are mindful of  us?” They were joyful knowing that what God was calling them to do was bigger than them. They understood there was a bigger purpose.

So for me, going on the World Race, at the core, and at the flesh, is not what I want to do. But to serve my Lord and Master in what He calls me to do is what I want to do knowing that there is a plan in it.

So, if you ask me if I”m excited, I probably won’t tell you this in person, but I”m not. I don’t think it’s ever exciting to let go of what you hold so dear.

But if you ask me if I trust Him, I’ll definitely say yes.

Trust and obey.

I think that’s the call of every Christ-follower.

To simply say “yes” to where He calls you.

Not Yes! with an exclamation mark (entailing I’m only doing it because it’s something I’m excited and want to do).

Not Yes? with a question mark ( only moving forward after a series of questions guaranteeing my comfort).

Nor a Yes, with a comma (as to negotiate the conditions under which I will do a particular thing).

But just a Yes. with a period. No questions asked. No specific reward or benefit for me. No negotiations.

Just Yes. Periodt.

Until Heaven or Sooner,

Adri

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Music Worth Mentioning: I’ll Find You by Lecrae ft. Tori Kelly

“Is this even worth it?” I’ve been holding onto my purity. I’ve been tithing. I haven’t retaliated. I’ve been making money legally. I stopped going there. I’ve stopped hanging out with those people. I don’t do that anymore! I’m going to church. 

“God, if you don’t ________, I don’t think I can do this much longer.” “If one more _________, I’m done.” Does that sound familiar? 

We all have situations that make us doubt…question…What is this walk about? Is this Christian life even worth it?

blog doubts

“Is this even worth it?” I’ve been holding onto my purity. I’ve been tithing. I haven’t retaliated. I’ve been making money legally. I stopped going there. I’ve stopped hanging out with those people. I don’t do that anymore! I’m going to church.

“God, if you don’t ________, I don’t think I can do this much longer.” “If one more _________, I’m done.” Does that sound familiar?

We all have situations that make us doubt…question…What is this walk about? Is this Christian life even worth it? If you’ve been following my blog, you know I was in this spot last year. I was tired of praying, and I was tired of holding on. As Lecrae said,

“I’m hanging on by a thread…And all I’m clinging to is prayers”

It seemed as if this particular issue was always reoccurring. It was my breaking point. And I know some of you may be at your breaking point or close to it. That’s why I’ll Find You by Lecrae featuring Tori Kelly is my music worth mentioning.

Now, I know what I may be going through may not be comparable to what you’re going through, whether it be finances, health, depression, career, family, legal matter or anything else. I understand what it feels like to want to give up and this song shares in that sorrow with us. Don’t. Give. Up.

I’m smilin’ in everyone’s face
I’m cryin’ whenever they leave the room
They don’t know the battle I face
They don’t understand what I’m going through

Recently, I’ve conversed with people who have doubts about their faith. These conversations  have reminded me of two people: Thomas (Most notable as “Doubting” Thomas) and Peter. And what are they known for? Their doubts. At least that’s what I love about them–their vulnerability. Their courage to question their faith, admit it and seek the truth.

Let’s turn to the scriptures: Matthew 14

In verses 22-33, Jesus is walking on water and when Peter sees, in order to believe, he says, “If it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Notice that word? “IF” Isn’t that what our doubts start with. “If you’re good, why did he die?” “If you have a plan, why am I single?” “If you see all, why did you let that happen to me!?” If…If…If… However, Peter takes that step when Jesus tells him to come, but when he saw the wind he was afraid and began to sink. What’s your “wind”? Death? Pain? Fear?

And death’s knockin’ on the front door
Pain’s creepin’ through the back
Fear’s crawlin’ through the windows
Waiting for em’ to attack

Like Peter, many of us took that initial step of faith. We believed in the saving Gospel, but the cares, worries, and concerns of this world have caused us to doubt. However, we’re called to a continued faith, not a one-time faith. And doubts may not always be bad, because sometimes it’s those doubts that strengthen our faith.

They say fear haunts
And pain hates
I say pain strengthens
And fear drives faith

Like Thomas, his doubt led to his reassurance because Jesus met him! Just like he did with Peter. IMMEDIATELY when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, Jesus reached out to save him. Yet, I know for some, your doubts aren’t pacified as soon as they come. Neither were they for Thomas. It wasn’t until 8 days later that Jesus came to him. Why? What was that time for? I don’t know. My friend told me 8  was the number of new beginnings. Maybe that was the time needed for him to wrestle…to see if his faith was strong…if it would push through. The first question Jesus asks Peter after rescuing him is,

“O, you of little faith. Why did you doubt?”

We think of temptation as outward sin, but can we be tempted to doubt? Is that a sin?Temptation is necessary, according to the Word, but to give into it…well that just may be the sin. Back to Peter–Let’s be honest, this wasn’t Peter’s first time doubting. When we first read about Peter, he was doubting! (But that’s a post for another day.) The point is, it seems Peter was constantly doubting some aspect of what the Lord had already told him. We may argue, the disciple had Jesus there with them, so thier faith was easy, but clearly it wasn’t. Jesus even said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. –Hebrews 11:1

At one time, even ALL the disciples abandoned Jesus. And Peter, the main one who valiantly said he wouldn’t, did too. But the one thing of key importance is he didn’t stay there. Each time he continued. He came back. So much that when he died, he was crucified upsided down because he didn’t feel worthy to die the same way his Savior did.

So earlier I told you, I, too, was having doubts. But I was able to make it out, by the grace of God, and friends telling me,

” Just fight a little longer my friend…it’s all worth it in the end.”

Let your doubt strengthen you, not take you off course. Remember the way. I’m praying for you!

Lord, be with my friends. Lord, right now I know they feel like there’s no use in praying. So, I’ll pray for them until they can again. Make them aware of the ways you’re reaching out to them, like you did for Peter. Surround them with friends who will continually remind them of TRUTH when the lies and seen things of this world seem so real. Father, comfort them. Keep them, Jesus! I know they believe, or they want to. Increase their faith.

In Jesus name, amen.

Questions about doubt? Check out these resources:

What Does the Bible Say About Doubt?

Your Greatest Growth is Outside the Boat

Adri