“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”- Luke 9:23
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”- Matthew 13:44
Kyle Idleman notes in Chapter 9 (“Come After Me: A Passionate Pursuit”) of Not a Fan that when Jesus calls us to “come after” Him we become engaged in a pursuit that consumes our thoughts, our resources, and our energy. It is a pursuit, Pastor Idleman adds, that requires everything we have. Even though following Jesus may cost us everything, it is the best investment we could ever make.
The alternative is to hold back- to desire all the benefits of following Jesus without making any commitments or sacrifices that involve putting ourselves on the line, as Pastor Idleman summarizes:
“I’ll follow you as long as things are good and you hold up your end of the deal. I’ll follow you as long as you don’t ask too much of me.”
The author emphasizes that God doesn’t want or need our time, money, or worship. God wants us. God wants our love. He longs for our passionate pursuit of Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Worship, time, and commitment are come after indicators.
Today’s question: How have you been intentional in reflecting your commitment to Jesus during your healing, transformational journey? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The road less traveled”
New addition to Crown Jewels: “Good field, no hit”- a Short Meditation from April of 2012
