The Privilege of PrayerSample

Following Jesus

Denying ourselves and following Christ is one of the most difficult things we can do. The world and everything in it tells us to follow our hearts, pursue our dreams, and do what makes us happy. Jesus says we must lose our life in order to find it. We must set aside the goals, dreams, plans, and visions we have for our lives and trust that God has a much better plan and purpose for each of us. Every day we must make the choice to follow Jesus. Sadly, this doesn’t come as good news for many. Some may feel upset or cheated having to set aside their own dreams and goals. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t have any goals or visions, but be prepared to go a different direction if Jesus has a different plan and purpose for your life.

Look at it this way. Imagine being created to do something specific, like how a fish is created to swim. Watching a fish do what it was created for is such a graceful, natural, effortless, and beautiful thing to see. It was created with a specific design and purpose. Now imagine that fish wanted to be a bird. It wanted to fly. Its hopes and dreams were to soar above land and into the clouds, and it spent all of its time, energy, and effort trying to be a bird. It would live a life of disappointment and sadness never realizing its dreams or finding its purpose. Many of us are doing just that. Ignoring our God-given purpose and pursuing the things of this world only to come back rejected, discouraged, and upset. Many people will tell you don’t give up, shoot for the stars, go after your dreams, or you’ll never know if you don’t give it try. I can agree to a certain extent. When the calling God has on your life is clear, you must stop the direction you’re going and trust that God has a better route.

My encouragement to you is this: pursue the visions in your heart and pursue your dreams, but make sure you are in tune and in alignment with God, and be willing to change the course if or when He says. We have to believe and understand that where He wants to take us is far better than anything we can imagine.

Father God, I ask for Your divine direction. Send Your Holy Spirit to be the compass for my soul and to be a light for my feet in this dark world. I want to pursue the plan You have for me. Lord, I trust You. Lead me, guide me, and direct my every step. Amen.