By MANDY SAELER
As we make deliberate choices to live exclusively and radically for Christ, our lives speak a message to the world around us, to both believers and unbelievers alike. To those who believers, it is a fragrant message of encouragement and challenge to pick up their crosses and follow Jesus, thusly fueling greater love and devotion to Christ. And to those who do not believe, it is a message of ridiculous sacrifice and a wasted life, thusly feeding mockery and revilement. (See 2 Corinthians 2:14-16.)
I was reminded of how “iron sharpens iron” recently as I was conversing with a family friend that I’d not seen for a year. As we talked, our friend shared something that they had observed in my walk with Christ and how it had encouraged them in their walk. While I was grateful for how God had worked through my life, I was even more thankful for the stark reminder that God issued to my soul through that small and simple exchange.
God has freshly reminded me of the importance of faithfully living out every moment, interaction, and conversation for His glory. His holy intent for every utterance of my life is that His Life, love, and light be radiantly revealed. What a high and holy calling that we are entrusted with! (See Matthew 5.13-16.)
In every situation. . . whether we are living in a spotlight with many onlookers, teaching a Sunday School class for children, working amidst non-believers, or living at home with family. . . every moment matters. Our yielded lives, day by day and moment by moment, are intended to bear the exclusive declaration of Jesus – Jesus – Jesus!
To take this devotional deeper, I would encourage you to prayerfully ask yourself with these questions.
*What message does my conduct speak to others?
*Are there any areas of my life that have grown dull in their declaration of “Jesus – Jesus – Jesus”?
*Have I given God praise and glory for how His Spirit is presently working in my life?
*Have I been prayerfully asking God to use my moments and days for His Kingdom and glory?
*Am I consistently yielding my moments and days to Christ, allowing Him to work His good and glory in my life?
Decide it today that you will always choose to faithfully follow Christ, regardless of the blessings, joys, trials, and challenges in this life. And may the joy-filled, triumphant words of the hymn, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” become a personal prayer of devotion offered to Christ from surrendered hearts!
I have decided to follow Jesus. . . No turning back, no turning back! The world behind me, the cross before me. . . No turning back, no turning back! Though none go with me, still I will follow. . . No turning back, no turning back!