Is it normalcy that we are supposed to be striving to live our lives to gain? Are we just supposed to try to get by day to day, living a “normal” life, pursuing comforts and privileges to live a content lifestyle? It seems like we so easily live life habitually, trying to make ends meet. Work, eat, sleep, play etc. and just continue in this routine….for some reason, I feel as though, somewhere along the road, we got something completely wrong. Living for and loving Jesus demands far more than just pursuing a “normal” life.
To just read the Bible, attend church, and avoid “big” sins—is this passionate, wholehearted love for God? –François Fénelon, The Seeking Heart
Are we missing it somewhere? Would the above work for you if you were in God’s place? I think it is safe to assume that most of us would agree that we are indeed missing something. We need to drop this assumption that Christ just wants us to live a comfortable rest of our life on earth.
The life God has called us to is far from just being better than most people. I saw this video called Just Stop and Think, and it described this concept really well by comparing it to how some teachers grade with a curve system. When in a class and the teacher announces that the grades will be determined by a curve system, we would sigh with relief when we see those who are not good academically in the class, and feel a sense of security knowing that compared to them, we are good, maybe even great students. Most of us allow ourselves to fall short in living for Jesus because we ignorantly assume (some intentionally, others not) that God will cut us some slack because we are better than “most” people. Well I have news for you…God does not judge us based on this “curve” system. It is all or none, one way or the other, hot or cold. There are no in-betweens in this system. No one will get by because he was “good” compared to most people. We owe God everything, and boy does He deserve it. We need to honor God with our lives and obey Him wholeheartedly. What God desires is an intimate relationship with each one of us. He longs for us to live off of the whisper of His voice, and move at the sound of His words. He wants us to live a life where we would consider all else rubbish and a loss compared to knowing the surpassing greatness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I STRONGLY encourage you to take some time to just look at God (not talking at Him, but being silent). Look at who He is and the power of what He has done for you and me…and look at what he deserves. Give Jesus time to get to KNOW Him. And remember, God doesn’t exist for you…on the contrary, you were made for Him.
The following is the video Just Stop and Think. This may help in this process
So let us begin to approach God with an attitude that is not about what He can do for us, but about what we can do for Him.
So…How do you feel about this? Has this inspired you to make any shifts or changes in your life? I’d love to hear from you! And don’t forget to take a quick moment to share this post on Facebook or Twitter if you got a lot of value out of it!
Thanks so much!
In God’s love and grace,
Born in 1989, Colton (the author of LivngForJesus) is child of God, husband, soon-to-be father (baby on the way), the Outreach & Youth Director at Gateway Christian Church and a graphic/web designer. He has had a passion for ministry since his mid-teens....
I am really glad this article was able to help you!! It is really encouraging to hear when God is using this blog to help people. I strongly encourage you to do it! Allow God to get you out of your comfort zone!!
I’ll be praying for you Will.
God bless you
-Colton
This post was very inspiring to me. As a teenager, and wanting to go into ministry, it is sometimes hard for me to get past the life of normalicy and contentment. Over the past few months I have really felt God calling me to do something big this upcoming school year. I feel God calling me out of my comfort zone, out of the contentment that I had been feeling. I loved the quote at the end about how God doesn’t exist for you, but you were made for him. I think all too often people view it as the other way around.