It is easy to love people who love us, encourage us and treat us well. But what about the person who irritates us? The person who has hurt us? The person we would rather avoid? Jesus told us in the above Scripture what to do… He calls beyond our natural response.
Following Jesus helps us to behave well, even when other people are looking. We naturally want others to think well of us, so we can be careful about what we say, how we act, and even how we present ourselves. But Christian integrity goes much deeper than our public image. It asks a more searching question: Who am I when nobody’s looking?
Following Jesus changes not only what we believe, but also how we speak. Our words are powerful. They can encourage or discourage, comfort or wound, build someone up or tear them down. Sometimes a few careless words can stay with someone for years. Yet a simple word of kindness at the right moment can give someone the strength to keep going.
Of course, forgiveness is easier to talk about than to practise, especially when someone has wounded us deeply; it can feel as though holding on to the hurt somehow protects us. I don’t know about you, but I seem to replay what happened, remember the words, and imagine what I should (could) have said. Unfortunately, that only means that yesterday begins to occupy far too much space in today!
Following Jesus means learning that God’s definition of greatness is very different from ours. The world tells us that greatness comes from being noticed, admired, successful or powerful. We are encouraged to climb higher, achieve more and make sure others recognise what we have accomplished.
Following Jesus means learning to notice God’s goodness, even in the ordinary things of life. Of course it is easier to focus on all the negatives … what we don’t have, what hasn’t worked out, what we wish were different, or what we are still waiting for. But if we don’t look for what’s ‘really here’ – what God has given us- then we’ll forever be chasing dreams.
Following Jesus means learning that obedience isn’t meant to feel like a burden we reluctantly carry. When we truly love Christ, obedience becomes an expression of that love.
Following Jesus means learning that God’s timing is not always our timing. We often know what we want—and sometimes we even believe we know when it should happen. We pray, make our plans, look for opportunities and then wonder why God doesn’t seem to be moving.
Following Jesus means learning not only to speak to God in prayer, but also to listen to Him. God speaks to us in dreams and visions, in prayer and most clearly through His Word. As we read through His instruction manual (Scripture), the Holy Spirit helps us understand it, applies it to our lives, exposes what needs to change, and reminds us of what is true.
Following Jesus means learning that prayer is not simply something we do when we need help. Prayer is the privilege of having a relationship with God Himself.
