Lead on, Jesus!

About 4 decades ago I became a Disciple of Jesus Christ; a decision that involves more, much more, than just being a Believer. Somewhere around age 16, I made a conscious choice in response to the invitation of the Spirit to live my life in obedience to the Lord. Today I have no regrets about that decision. (As a disclaimer I borrow the words of St. Paul - " I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me." - Philippians 3:12, NLT) Following Jesus has not always been easy on me, but He has led me to to a life that is rich with meaning and purpose.

I hear some speak of being disappointed with Christ or about how Christianity doesn't 'work' for them. I try not to judge, but I question whether they are just a Believer or a Disciple. Dallas Willard, one of my favorite authors, makes this excellent analogy in his book, The Great Omission. (Harper, 2006)

-- If your neighbor is having trouble with his automobile, you might think he got a lemon, and you may be right. But if you found that he was supplementing his gasoline with a quart of water every now and then, you would not blame his car or its maker for it not running, or for running in fits and starts. You would say that the car was not built to run under the conditions imposed by the owner. And you would advise him to put on the appropriate fuel in the tank. After some restorative work, the car would run fine.
We must approach current disappointments about the walk with Christ in a similar way. ... If it doesn't work at all, or only in fits and starts, that is because we do not give ourselves to it in a way that allows our lives to be taken over by it. ... Maybe we have just learned something that is right-on with Jesus himself, but misunderstood it, a dilemma that produces very good Pharisees or "legalists," which is a very hard life. Or perhaps we have thought the "Way" too costly and we have tried to economize supplying a quart of religious or moralistic "water" every now and then.
We know the "car" of Christianity can run, and run gloriously.... Christ is the brightest spot in the human scene... but the blessed existence is only for the disciple of Jesus who continuously "grows in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18, NIV)--

Jesus challenges us to do more than believe the facts about Him or even the truth He taught. He invites us to die to Self and live in the Spirit, to identify with His death and resurrection. He says, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" (Luke 9:23-25, NIV) The resulting life will not necessarily be one of grand success in worldly terms, but it will be a life that is worth the living, that makes us who God purposed us to be, and ends with a welcome into the house of our Heavenly Father!

Are you disappointed with Christ? Come to His Cross! Kneel there and give all to Him. Ask Him to make a disciple of you, an apprentice in the holy life, developing the skill and knowledge to live that life of a disciple. And, "You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy." (1 Peter 1:8, NLT)
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Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty Rock
Within a weary land.
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat
And the burden of the day.

Upon the cross of Jesus
Mine eyes at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears
Two wonders I confess:
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place,
I ask no other sunshine
Than the sunshine of His face.
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self, my only shame,
My glory all the cross.

Beneath The Cross Of Jesus
Clephane, Elizabeth C. / Maker, Fredrick Charles
© Public Domain