They say your teenage to mid twenties are your make it or break it for being a fulling committed follower. I never understood, until now. Things change between Jobs, School, Family, Finances, and “Identity”. It’s the point where we are trying to find are forever self. Our “true identity. Who will we identify ourselves with or what. What major or college . Who or what you know. Preparing not only for the future but for the identity we want to put on or become. Going from kid to adult. Leaning towards the kind of adult you never had as a kid or always needed, or to become what you desire adult “should be”. Walking towards Christ or the world. Or a lukewarm mixture of both. Its in these years of our life we are ultimately defined. Being faced with the temptations. Desires from ourselves and fulfilling others. Most that walk away will more than likely walk back when in mid thirty’s with wife and family to maintain a stable balance of “faith family & friends”. But I don’t want to do so on such important years, I don’t know about you but Christ is a daily pursuit in which I want to ultimately be wrapped up all the more in my teenage and mid twenty years, because wow what a fearless and willing young devoted follower of Christ seeking his kingdom rather than the worlds fulfillment or status.
Recently I’ve just hit a pause button on my faith. Is it something I’m doing because of what the church and my family has ultimately processed me through. Or is it something I’m personally committed to. Is reading a chore. Or a moment of reflection towards Christ. Am I worshipping because I know it’s true or because I deeply love my God and what he placed his son on earth to do? Is it because I’m routine or because my passion has lacked and my spirit is grown weak. I don’t think it’s a one person fits all.
But I believe it’s being consistent. It’s definitely putting faith over feelings. It’s choosing despite the people. Things. Around you to Choose Jesus. I mean hey ,he chose you. There are more than some days where I want to be like “Jesus I don’t wanna read” I don’t even wanna talk with you right now. Like thanks for what you’re doing in my life but like bye. Because my feelings are being magnified more than my faith. Even when my faith is weak I still have too keep trusting it’s hard and sometimes I just have to sit at the feet of Jesus and let him know what I’m feeling not knowing why. It’s about pursuing him! If I had all the answers and all the perfect feelings I would never need a God because I would think I was one myself.
Proverbs talks about Life in a very knowledgeable way. It says…
“Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.” Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.”
Proverbs 4:1-19
I think of how growing up parents are annoying. Friends come and go. The identity is changing but the main and constant thing is Christ and the profound wisdom in his word. Time continues. Gray hair grows. The trees grow bigger yet the word of the lord remains the same what better life long and eternal thing to remain in.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Isaiah 40:8
The Pursuit Of Shalom 