we live in a world of cars. cars everywhere. all around us, everyone needs to get somewhere, fast. and here we are, these runners on the side of the street. some of us are slower than others, some of us are faster, some of us are walking, maybe some of us are taking a rest. most likely, we have a goal in mind. we want to get healthier, we want to look better, we want to feel better. but we know that that means sacrifice. that means getting out of our cars and actually doing something about it. and we know how hard it is. the times we feel like we can't go on any further. the times that we feel like we're on the runner's high. the times it feels like everyone's going faster and doing better than you are. the times you wish you were inside of a car instead. but in the end, you know you'll be rewarded for your efforts. your hard work pays off. and the people in the cars don't know what they're missing out on. they don't know the exhilaration of finishing the run. or seeing the fruits of your labor a couple of months down the line. they want everything now. they need to get somewhere and do something now. there's no time to stop and go running. they have their own busy schedules and agendas to follow through on to get to that destination. maybe some of the people in the cars know what they're missing out on. they see the the results in some of us and yet they never take the risk or the initiative to change up their schedules to start running. they feel it's not cost-effective. and so they pass the opportunity up.
now this may not be the perfect analogy, but for me, the cars represent people who are living their own busy lives and schedules without submitting to Jesus Christ. and the runners are us, Christ followers. we know that the way is hard. but we know the benefits. we know what happens in the end. some of us are doing better in our "runs" with God and some of us are a little weaker. some of us have to walk slow before we can get up to a brisk jog. but we know the exhilaration of being in a relationship with Christ. we know the excitement and adventure that He gives us in pursuit of Him. we live in a way that's radically different from the world. we practice patience when no one else can stand it anymore. we practice forgiveness when the sin and the wrong seems unforgivable. we practice love when there is no reason but to hate. the people outside sometimes don't understand why we do what we do. sometimes they do. but most are too scared to give up their comfort. too afraid of change. not sure if it's worth following Jesus. "what do i get out of it?" "how is following Jesus going to make my life any better?" "it seems difficult and long. and look how much they're struggling! i don't want to deal with that!" but who said reward would come without hard work?? we have to put ourselves out there too. it's participation with the Holy Spirit in our lives that's the difference. we're not just waiting around for God to do everything for us. we're asking God to use us, test us, build us, strengthen us, empower us so that we can live for Him. and in return, we not only receive reward in the end. we've already received more than enough. love. everlasting love. unfailing love. the punishment for our sins was taken by Jesus as He put them on Himself so that we could be made clean. God loves us so much. we know that our heavenly Father cares deeply for us and plays an active role in our lives! and the world is missing out on it because they don't think that it's worth it.
invite someone to run with you. give them a taste of what it feels like to not only sacrifice, but to sacrifice because someone else already gave everything for us. to sacrifice knowing that He continually loves us and blesses us beyond what we deserve. let the world see why we follow Jesus. it's all because of His love. there is no greater love than this. and everyone needs love.
No comments:
Post a Comment