U-Turn Ahead
Scripture to ponder:
Luke 9
I should probably start this out with the currently trending saying…"we listen and we don't judge.” Now, while I think I am a pretty decent driver, others may have varying opinions. I'm not much on listening to the opinions of others though, so I'd like to stand behind my first statement of being decent. Notice, I didn't say perfect or superb, I simply said decent. I can get where I need to go and isn't that the point anyways? Besides, the curbs at Chick-fil-a have it out for me - convince me otherwise, and who can line up their wheels perfectly every time at the automatic car wash? Who hasn't let their mind wander and found themselves 45 minutes past where they were supposed to turn while on their way to work? Anyone? No?Hmmm….me neither!
Okay. Okay. I did this just once, but I was really into my playlist that morning!
After I saw the flashing blue lights in the rear-view mirror that morning, I quickly came back to reality and realized my attention deficit had gotten the best of my morning commute. One generous warning from the officer and a u-turn later, I was heading in the opposite direction towards my intended destination. That u-turn was necessary to get where I needed to go.
Following Christ requires a u-turn in our walk. It requires a complete turn from the way we were going, so that we can follow the way Christ is leading. It takes a turn from our way to his, our will to his. A complete and daily denial of self so that we can follow him. If left to ourselves, we would miss our turns and be heading the completely opposite direction of the way we need to be going. We can't completely follow after Christ if we don't turn from self. Christ tells us that what we give up here on earth will not compare to what is waiting for us through him. In him we will find life, but if we aren't willing to give up our lives here we will lose what's ahead.
That's some powerful truth, sweet sisters! When we turn from self what we gain is so much better! I give myself and gain Christ! I give my will, my desires, my control and I gain the eternal presence of my precious Savior. I don't know about you but that makes me want to stop and do a u-turn. I don't want to miss what is in store when we follow closely after Christ. He is worth it all!
Questions to consider:
1) Am I denying self and surrendering completely to Christ?
2) Am I daily turning from self so that I can fully follow my Jesus?
3) What things in my life hinder me from completely and wholly following after him?
