How to Stay Standing: 3 Practices for Building a Faith That LastsSample

Come To Jesus

To come to Jesus is to bring the fullness of yourself—not just your body, but your heart and soul and mind as well. This was not an idea that started with Jesus’s life on earth. God told His people from the beginning that He wanted more than just their physical presence or external obedience. Even the daily prayer in ancient Hebrew culture (the Shema), which is in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, gives evidence of that desire, and it’s the same thing Jesus meant when He said, “come to me.”

If you want a life that stands firm, first you have to come and bring it all. The implications of the word “come” carry the hint of a challenge. Jesus often responded with this word to people who asked to be His disciple. If that’s what you want, too, I think Jesus would say, “Great! Come with your whole self and nothing less.” Today, consider what you might be holding back from Him.

Coming to Jesus starts with the truth. Honesty between you and Jesus is always the first step to authentic connection. If you want a firm faith, you need a real connection with God. In the end, beliefs and morality just won’t be enough to keep you standing. You need to experience Jesus for yourself. The following four questions can start a great, honest exchange with Jesus right now. Ask yourself these questions and tell Him the answer:

What is my craving?

Be honest and just tell Jesus what you want more than anything else right now.

What is my confession?

Is there a mistake, or sin, that you think about and have never admitted out loud to God, whether it was yesterday or 40 years ago?

What is my confusion?

Is there something you don’t understand about Jesus or the Bible that’s in your way of coming closer?

What is my curiosity?

Do you find yourself wondering whether He could or would do something in you or your life? Tell Him!

Answer as honestly as you can and talk directly to Him. What do you imagine He would say to that? This level of honesty may open up something new between you and Jesus.

Come.