Following Directions

A helpful modern-day instrument that gives location and directions for travel is a GPS.  The Global Positioning System is a satellite-based navigation system which is made up of a network of 24 satellites.  These satellites were originally placed in orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense for military use.  However, in the 1980s, the government made this system available for use by civilians.  When a destination address is placed in a GPS it does not matter where the person is located.  The system automatically calculates the route from where you are to the intended destination.  All you must do is follow directions.

When Jesus invites us to follow Him, He wants us to start from where we are.  We do not need to clean up our lives.  We do not have to complete a bunch of good deeds.  We do not need to do anything to change.  He simply wants us to start following.  After we decide to follow Jesus and begin the wonderful journey of walking with Him, He will teach us and guide us and give us what we need to serve Him.  The Bible tells us about Simon and Andrew who were invited to follow Jesus.  We are told, “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:16-19).

Notice these aspects of this story:

1. Jesus gave an Invitation. “Come, follow me.”  Jesus had a task for the disciples to accomplish.  This invitation was more than a simple request by Jesus; it was a command.  The call that came to the disciples was one that not only needed to be heard, it needed to be followed.
2. Jesus Made a commitment to provide Training.  “I will make you fishers of men.”  Jesus knew that the task He was going to ask the disciples to do was extremely important.  And, if that task was to be accomplished He was willing to invest time with the disciples to teach, train, encourage and guide them.
3. Jesus expected a Response.  “At once they left their nets and followed him.”  The disciples accepted the invitation and immediately left what they were doing and followed Jesus.  There was no hesitation on their part to respond positively to Jesus.

Are you willing to heed the call of Jesus to follow Him?  Are you ready for the training that He will give you for the task He wants you to do?  Are you willing to respond to Jesus though immediate obedience?

Looking Back at March Madness

The finals of “March Madness” has recently been completed in Minnesota.  Some people from around the country crowded into the Twin Cities area to cheer their favorite team to victory and some came just to be a part of the madness experience.  The tournament began with 64 teams, all with the goal of prevailing to the very end.  However, only one team became the National Basketball Champion.

The Apostle Paul must have been a sports fan because in scripture he so often uses sports images to communicate spiritual truths.  If Paul would have been in Minnesota, I’m sure he would have enjoyed all the events that were part of “March Madness”, and most likely he would have participated in every one that he could.

Listen to Paul as he speaks, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.  No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (I Corinthians 9:24-27).

Note three things that we ought to be concerned about in living a Christian life.

1)    We must be disciplined, if we are to win the prize it will take “strict training.”

2)    Our goal is to receive a lasting reward in the form of “a crown that will last forever.”

3)    We must compete according to the rules so we will not be disapproved or “not be disqualified.”

No one has to lose In the Christian life.  Everyone can win.  Paul reminds us that all of us should “run in such a way as to get the prize.”  Let's join together in an ongoing, disciplined, spiritual “March Madness” regimen by learning more about Christ and living for Him every day so as to bring glory to his name.

The Work of Preparation

Most everyone knows that Olympic athletes don’t just show up at an event, participate, stand on the podium, and get a metal hung around their neck. To receive a metal takes much more than that. Hours, days, weeks, months, and years go into preparation and training.  Each athlete puts himself through a rigorous training regimen, all with the ultimate goal of Olympic gold.  Sometimes I’m afraid people approach living the Christian life without much thought of spiritual preparation or training. The Bible says, “Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do.  So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too” (1 Timothy 4:8, LB).  Why not take time now to prepare and train yourself spiritually so you can be all you need to be for the cause of Christ?