Just wondering how many of us know someone completely, fully, wholly sold out to Jesus. And yes, I know, right off the bat it's a question already answered as NONE because it's impossible to be completely, fully, wholly sold out to Jesus... but you know what I mean.
Here's why I wonder-
When I got saved in March of my junior year it caused numerous reactions- not only in me... but also in those around me. I'm willing to bet that I was one of those obnoxious, loud, unrelenting sharers of truth those initial months following my "salvation experience" sparking reaction from those around me right? However, more than that... and after the initial span of time where God was still new to me and I had to share Him with any and all that would listen... those around me made decisions that would ultimately impact more than a moment. Decisions I can only imagine were based upon the fact that I clearly believed different than they.
My senior year was a rough one in that many of my friends, particulary the group of girls I spent the majority of my time with throughout high school, decided that I was no longer friend worthy. I assure you that in high school- losing all your friends (or having them loose you from them) is life altering. I made the most of things... spent a lot of my free time at youth group and youth functions... but always wondered what caused this rift in friendships... and why my friends were so unwilling to know this God I'd recently, "found" (As if He was ever lost...)
Here's what I know to be absolutely true. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:5) What happened to me then is that the light of God dispersed darkness... including my friends. And I was left to be OK with that. (Wish I would have had a bit more wisdom then so as not to take it personally and/or create my "aquaintance only/I don't need "friends" life principle.)
All this brings me to my initial question... how many of us know someone wholly, completely, fully sold out to Jesus? Because I wonder if they find themselves lonely. And not lonely in a desperate- needs approval- ungodly way... but lonely in a- my friends have loosed me because we don't share the same hunger/passion for the Lord (and/or they love Grey's Anatomy and I don't watch it anymore) way.
The other thing I also know to be true is the more 'In Him' we become the less need we have for the approval/acceptance of others. And the less we should be needed by others. Oswald Chambers had a great devotional in March (24th I think). It discussed how our role is to be the ones pointing to Jesus not attracting attention to ourselves. That if we are ever in a position in another persons life where we are NEEDED... we are out of God's will. That "He must become greater, I must become less" (John 3:30)
Anyway, that's my thought for the day. Love on those you love.... and love on those who love Jesus. And oh how I pray that all of those you love, love Jesus.
Here's why I wonder-
When I got saved in March of my junior year it caused numerous reactions- not only in me... but also in those around me. I'm willing to bet that I was one of those obnoxious, loud, unrelenting sharers of truth those initial months following my "salvation experience" sparking reaction from those around me right? However, more than that... and after the initial span of time where God was still new to me and I had to share Him with any and all that would listen... those around me made decisions that would ultimately impact more than a moment. Decisions I can only imagine were based upon the fact that I clearly believed different than they.
My senior year was a rough one in that many of my friends, particulary the group of girls I spent the majority of my time with throughout high school, decided that I was no longer friend worthy. I assure you that in high school- losing all your friends (or having them loose you from them) is life altering. I made the most of things... spent a lot of my free time at youth group and youth functions... but always wondered what caused this rift in friendships... and why my friends were so unwilling to know this God I'd recently, "found" (As if He was ever lost...)
Here's what I know to be absolutely true. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:5) What happened to me then is that the light of God dispersed darkness... including my friends. And I was left to be OK with that. (Wish I would have had a bit more wisdom then so as not to take it personally and/or create my "aquaintance only/I don't need "friends" life principle.)
All this brings me to my initial question... how many of us know someone wholly, completely, fully sold out to Jesus? Because I wonder if they find themselves lonely. And not lonely in a desperate- needs approval- ungodly way... but lonely in a- my friends have loosed me because we don't share the same hunger/passion for the Lord (and/or they love Grey's Anatomy and I don't watch it anymore) way.
The other thing I also know to be true is the more 'In Him' we become the less need we have for the approval/acceptance of others. And the less we should be needed by others. Oswald Chambers had a great devotional in March (24th I think). It discussed how our role is to be the ones pointing to Jesus not attracting attention to ourselves. That if we are ever in a position in another persons life where we are NEEDED... we are out of God's will. That "He must become greater, I must become less" (John 3:30)
Anyway, that's my thought for the day. Love on those you love.... and love on those who love Jesus. And oh how I pray that all of those you love, love Jesus.
1 comment:
I like the last line best.......I pray all of those you love, love Jesus. I pray that a lot. HR
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