I bet some folks see the graphic that inspired this essay and vigorously nod in agreement.
So why is it that me, and so many others, found the world to be in a fog until we decided to follow Jesus of Nazareth (who many people believe is the Son of God)?
For years, I accepted the worldview pushed by my family, friends, co-workers, the entertainment industry and the media.
But it all lacked…focus. People, including me, weren’t satisfied. Struggling to climb the ladder of career success. Struggling to afford monster flat-screen TVs, bigger houses and cruise ship vacations. Struggling to obey our culture’s directive to ignore a world that seemed bent on slow destruction. Struggling to constantly turn our thoughts away from the nagging question “What’s it all for?”.
When I decided to follow Jesus, the fog cleared and the truth of this world came into focus.
Struggling to get more money, more toys, more power and more sex is not the way to satisfaction. As a follower of Jesus, I’ve come to know that satisfaction comes through following His example and His teachings.
Check out these teachings from one of the four original-source biographies of Jesus’ physical life on earth:
- You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly.
- When you do something good, don’t do it in front of others so that they will see you. If you do that, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
- You cannot serve God and money at the same time.
- Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars.
- Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
- Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment.
- Do for others what you would want them to do for you.
Yes, some of these teachings are hard. And trust me, you are going to fail at some of them, just like me. And that’s OK. Serious followers of Jesus know that His sacrificial death on a cross wipes away the failures of His followers, so that all God sees is the perfection of His son.
Furthermore, when you become a serious follower of Jesus, you welcome Him into your heart and your mind, where His strength, His perfection and His love for YOU start to transform your life. Right here, right now.
What do you think? Post your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.
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