There comes a time when we can’t go by what others say because we won’t really mean it. There will be a point when we each make an answer for our own selves- who is this Jesus? I remember being sent to church (someone would come to pick up my brother and I as children) and I thought Jesus was just someone in some of the stories we learned in Sunday School and was mentioned at church. But one day, my ears were opened and I heard the truth. I understood that these weren’t just stories but that Jesus was real and He died for me that I could be saved. I didn’t even realize that I needed ‘saving’ but one day- it all just clicked – and one Sunday as an adult checking out a Baptist church with a friend in California, I understood how far away I was from God, recognized my need for a Savior, and that Jesus was willing and already paid the price (his substitutionary death in my place) that I would be saved through Him. Suddenly that Sunday, in 2001, I made my answer of ‘who was Jesus’ and said YES to Him being Lord over my life.
Now that was, wow, 20 YEARS ago! I didn’t realize it had been that long since that day. Unfortunately, my growth, understanding and living out ‘Jesus ACTUALLY being Lord of my life’ in my everyday life was a slow journey the first 7 years. I was still in the Army and because I kept moving around and didn’t know that I could read my Bible outside of Sunday service and that I could persue a deeper relationship with God on my own with the help of the Holy Spirit now living in me – I didn’t know so I wasn’t active in those things. I didn’t look for like-minded friends. I didn’t grow (as quickly as I have been growing since then). At that time, I just cared about my Army career. As far as my faith, I just did the things I traditionally thought that others were supposed to do (at least for a while but it wasn’t really a priority to me).
But God had plans for me. I know He has plans for you too. This is definitely a lifelong journey. One day, you too will be asked whether in person or within your heart and soul – who IS Jesus to you? Let it not be like this joke I heard a comedian say in his act when he talked about a wife complaining to her husband about feeling a lack of passion and care from him in their relationship after time had passed. His response to her was,”I told you that I loved you – when we were married.” I guess he thought that would be enough. Well… it is as they are still definitely married but the wife was expressing and sensing that this wasn’t really all that it COULD be. And that is true. John 10:10 says, “I came that they may have life, and have it ABUNDANTLY.” Let’s live full lives with Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
@sejanashines on IG, FB, blog. Have a great day!
And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” Mark 8:27-29 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mrk.8.27-29.ESV
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.10.10.ESV
Sejana Shines 