At one point in His earthly ministry, Jesus had some of His followers find the commitment too challenging and left, so Jesus asked His closest companions if they also were going to leave and Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."*
Ultimately this is my conundrum. I don't always like all the things I am asked to do as a follower of Jesus. Forgiving people who are mean and cause pain to me or those I love is really not fun, and it causes people to make fun of me at times. Loving people who are dirty, angry, lonely and really unlovely is not something I would have set out to do on my own. Giving up doing things my own way is definitely a bummer.
But what is the alternative? I either follow the teachings and will of God or I am left to make my own way, and that is MUCH less attractive than doing all the hard things God asks. AND God actually teaches me how to do all the icky stuff, so it is not like I'm left to struggle on my own. Oh, and after God teaches me I realize it is not icky at all. It is freeing, It is powerful. It is truly in my own best interest after all.
El-Shaddai, source of all blessings, thank You for the abundant blessings You pour out on me, even when I don't understand why some of this stuff is a blessing. Your ways are always designed for my highest good. All my needs are met and many of my wants too. You are amazing, God. AMEN
*John 6:68
Ultimately this is my conundrum. I don't always like all the things I am asked to do as a follower of Jesus. Forgiving people who are mean and cause pain to me or those I love is really not fun, and it causes people to make fun of me at times. Loving people who are dirty, angry, lonely and really unlovely is not something I would have set out to do on my own. Giving up doing things my own way is definitely a bummer.
But what is the alternative? I either follow the teachings and will of God or I am left to make my own way, and that is MUCH less attractive than doing all the hard things God asks. AND God actually teaches me how to do all the icky stuff, so it is not like I'm left to struggle on my own. Oh, and after God teaches me I realize it is not icky at all. It is freeing, It is powerful. It is truly in my own best interest after all.
El-Shaddai, source of all blessings, thank You for the abundant blessings You pour out on me, even when I don't understand why some of this stuff is a blessing. Your ways are always designed for my highest good. All my needs are met and many of my wants too. You are amazing, God. AMEN
*John 6:68
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