Lent

Struggles: What are you up against in your life as a Christ-follower? What is the hardest obstacle? What keeps you from believing God is with you all the time?
We have used various terms through the years to identify people of faith. In the early church we might have been referred to as people of “The Way.” We were first called Christians at Antioch. As believers we were set apart from non-believers. We have been called disciples and more recently “Christ-followers.” Each label has its own implications. Christians – little Christs – those who reflect His character. Disciples are learners – students of the Christ. Believers – those who believe in the birth, death, resurrection of Jesus and have trusted Him as Savior.

Then there is this term Christ-follower. Here is where the struggle begins. Am I really a Christ-follower? I struggle to always know where He is leading. At times I struggle because I do know and I’m not sure I like the direction. I struggle because I would much rather choose a direction and ask Him to bless it than to wait for Him to take the lead. Being a Christ-follower sometimes means waiting until He is ready to move.

When I think about the hardest obstacle or perhaps the biggest obstacle, it is ME! There aren’t circumstances that keep me from following, it is my will – my desire to have things my way. Then I read a quote from A.W. Tozer – pastor, evangelist, author: “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” In the article there was a study of Jacob and his encounter with God. “Hurt and humbled, Jacob is a new man; Israel is born. He leaves Penuel having seen God face to face. His life is changed, but from now on he will walk with a limp” (Genesis 33).

I know of few people who want to be humbled – and yet, until we are, we can never follow freely. There will always be hesitation, reservation and even obstinacy. The writer to the Hebrews described it this way: Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:10-11).

I have never questioned His daily presence, only my submission to His leadership. I think it is then that I am most aware of His presence as He prods, tugs, and attempts to herd me.

The obstacle in this journey of faith is me. But I am thankful for a Savior who continues to work to move that part of me aside so that I can follow him unencumbered.