A Life of Dependence

 

Music video for the Praise & Worship song "All I Need is You" from Hillsong UNITED.

 

 I’m a smart dude… I know I am…you don’t have to tell me.  If I really wanted to, I could strike out on my own and probably do some pretty great things.  I am a really good speaker, singer, a decent actor… blah, blah, blah.  I went to a pretty good school and all that.  Have great parents.  I can read and can even count to 10… though not much higher.  I recognize that according to normal world standards there are very few doors that aren’t open to me.  But when I really think about it, where would I really be going?  Is life about making money, or having nice things?  Could I really end war or world hunger?  I guess I just realize that on my own I have a relatively low ceiling but with Jesus the sky’s the  limit.  So I’ll follow him. 

First of all, What does that even mean?  Good question!  As the old hymn goes… I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back. And Luke 9:23-25 says: 

²³ “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. ²⁵What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 

A great explanation of this passage can be found here.  (TAKING UP YOUR CROSS DAILY).  But basically its says that if I am going to choose to follow Jesus, I have to follow him and not my own wants and desires.  I have to make a choice regarding whose opinion means more to me... Mine or God’s. 

Of course this creates several issues, like I said, I am a smart guy and I tend to think very highly of my own opinion.  So how do I resolve issues where my opinion may differ from Christ’s.  The same way Sid the Science Kid does… with a chart, silly!

Since I tend to respect people who have a better resume than me I will compare my list of accomplishments to Christ’s to see whose opinion, if followed, would yield the best results.

JESUS	FRANK	WINNER
1. Created the Universe from nothing (John 1:3, Col 1:16-17)	Created this blog… (about Jesus)	Jesus This blog isn’t that well written anyway
2. Had at least 12 disciples whom he taught for 3 years.	Has 5 brothers and sisters… who don’t listen to me at all :(	Jesus Plus those disciples did miracles! Even Judas!
3. Turned water into wine	Thinks wine is great with pasta!     (In moderation of course)	Jesus If I could do that I’d be eating pasta right now!
4. Healed the sick and raised people from the dead	I’ve had 3 goldfish  average life span 2 days	Jesus He’s better than Aspirin
5.  Never sinned	Is it getting hot in      here?    I’m not even sure   I’m  not sinning right now.	Jesus Not even close
6.   Died on the cross to pay for the sins of the world.	Paid off my credit cards?	Jesus Thanks again by the way!
7.   Was resurrected from the dead and given all power in Heaven and Earth.   - Will return again to cast Satan into the lake of fire - and take all of his followers (whom he calls his brothers and sisters) to Heaven!	Can we stop now?	Jesus

Well, it was close.  But as smart as I am I think Jesus edges me out in the better resume department.  Choosing my opinion over Jesus’ is like telling Kevin Durant that I should take the game winning shot, or asking Tom Brady if I could lead the game winning touchdown drive.   Wouldn’t it be better to just let KD drain the three or to cheer Tom on from the side-lines while Tom does what Tom does?  They’ve got better track records than I do and much more ability to accomplish their missions.   

So, I’ll let 3x Super Bowl Champ Tom Terrific lead the game winning drive.  I’ll let 3x scoring champ Kevin Durant take the shot.  And I have to let the Creator of the Universe lead my life… He created the Universe guys… I think he can help me find some good friends and a decent job.  

“But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.   – Matthew 6:33