But recently, about an hour ago, I started what I would say is one of the more challenging books I've ever read, Follow Me by David Platt. In each chapter, there are sections that are split up (which I've committed to reading at least one per day and occasionally writing about) to help Platt keep his main points focused. The first chapter was titled Unconverted Believers which hit me like a bullet. To describe a believer as unconverted was a weird thought to me. It seemed more of an oxymoron than anything else. Converting to a religion makes you a believer of that religion, right? Well to Platt, that was a bunch of bologna, and after reading the first section of that chapter, I had to agree with him. He starts the chapter/section out with a story of a woman named Ayan. Ayan was as Platt described her, "part of a people who pride themselves in being 100 percent Muslim." He then told all of the risks for someone like Ayan to leave Islam or convert to another religion. Platt challenges the reader to think about what it would be like to tell someone like Ayan about Jesus, You could either
- Tell her it's as easy as reciting a prayer and believing certain truths about Christianity OR
- Tell her the TRUTH: that God is calling her to die...to die in herself and live through Him.
That instantly changed the way I looked at how we call people to Christ. It's not a simple prayer that gets us the so-rewarding relationship with Jesus that we all want. That was very challenging for me to hear. I had heard the verse about denying ourselves and taking up our cross before, but it never sank in until now. Platt continues telling the reader that he had actually met Ayan and how she did just that. She risked her life, left her family and friends, and took up her cross. Today, she spends every day telling her people about Christ. I don't know if I would do that. I like to think that I would, but if I was placed in her position with the choice of leaving everything I ever knew, I don't know if I could.
Platt goes from telling the story of Ayan to the story in the Bible about the four fishermen who Jesus asked to follow Him. Jesus asked them to leave everything they ever knew or had and follow Him. Their response was to do exactly what he asked. They dropped their nets and followed Him. This really challenged me to do the same. I'm not going to drop out of school, leave my family without warning, and set out on my own journey. No, that isn't what Jesus is calling us to do. However, I do believe that He is asking us to get rid of the distractions in life and keep Him as our focus. That's a big task, I will admit, but I know that the reward is very worth it.
"There is indescribable joy to be found, deep satisfaction to be felt, and an eternal purpose to be fulfilled in dying to ourselves and living for Him."
Woah! That is our reward. That is what Jesus offers us if we stop living casually and pick up the cross He so lovingly carried for us. I'm not saying I'm going to be perfect each day, but I am willing to try. I challenge whoever is reading this to try this along side me. It doesn't matter what you've done or where you are with God, because lately I've fallen off the road of righteousness myself, but God welcomes us back freely with open arms. I will be praying for you along your journey, and if you could pray for me as well, that would be very appreciated. Our God is Great and Loving; Holy and Wise; Welcoming and Gracious. I am very thankful for His steadfast compassion towards us, and I know He does great things in and through us. So I challenge you to die to yourself, your possessions, your fears, your addictions, whatever is holding you back, and just follow Him. I believe that He works in ways we can't fathom, and He can do anything if we pick up our cross and do what he so humbly asks us to do.
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