Following Jesus is not always an easy road. There will be times when the way ahead seems clear, and other times when every step feels difficult. There may be disappointments, unanswered prayers, opposition, weariness and seasons when we wonder how much longer we can keep going.
Following Jesus does not mean we will be protected from suffering. There will be times when life hurts, when prayers seem unanswered and when we cannot understand why God has allowed something to happen.
Following Jesus does not mean we will never become discouraged. There will be days when we feel tired, disappointed or simply wonder whether we are making any difference at all. What matters is what we do when those feelings come.
Following Jesus does not mean temptation disappears; it means we no longer have to face it alone. Every follower of Jesus will face temptation. What changes is where we turn to when it comes…
Following Jesus means we do not have to choose between grace and truth. Jesus showed us how to live with both. Standing for truth does not mean looking for arguments or trying to prove to others that we are right; it means being willing to remain faithful to Christ, even when it would be easier to stay silent, follow the majority, or simply go with the flow…
Following Jesus changes the way we respond to conflict. The world often tells us to protect our position, win the argument, or cut people off when they disagree with us. Jesus calls us to something MUCH different.
Following Jesus is not something we are meant to keep to ourselves. The good news of what Christ has done in our lives is too important to hide. Jesus calls us to let others see Him through the way we live, the way we speak, and the way we treat people.
Following Jesus means learning to serve even when nobody notices. We naturally like recognition. We want people to appreciate what we do, to thank us, and to know that our contribution mattered. There is nothing wrong with encouragement, but Jesus teaches us that our service should not depend upon receiving it. He warned His followers not to practise their righteousness simply so that other people would notice them, and that our Father sees what is done in secret. (Matthew 6:1–4)
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?
