I was speaking with a dear friend of mine earlier today, and she made a remark during our conversation that struck me. Her statement, while seemingly simple, was immensely profound: “There is a difference between Jesus being a part of your life and Jesus being your way of life.”
This really made me think. Has living for Jesus become nothing more than list of boxes to check? Have I merely been making room for Him throughout the day rather than centering each day around Him?
It made me think of how I often I find myself treating my time with God as if it’s a chore. When I read my Bible, am I doing it because I feel obligated, or am I doing it because I eagerly desire to learn more about Him? When I worship in song, is it because I like the sound of the music, or is my heart yearning to sing praises to Him because He is worthy of all my praise?
If our idea of living for Jesus is nothing more than attending church, reading the Bible, and listening to worship music, then we’ve got it wrong. Don’t get me wrong, those things are great—encouraged even. However, if our devotion to Him is only expressed in those acts alone, we’re missing out on the fullness of what it means to be a follower of Christ.
If we want to place Jesus at the center of our lives and dedicate ourselves to living the way that He did, we must get to know Him. Just like how it would be irrational to say you are best friends with stranger, you cannot be a devoted follower of Jesus if you do not know Him personally.
Reading your Bible is a great start. You don’t need to be an expert theologian, but reading about the character and work of God in the Bible is a wonderful way to learn about Him.
Another great step towards relationship with the Lord is through prayer. To this day, it blows my mind that the God of the universe wants me to talk to Him. It is hard to fathom that God Almighty—creator and sustainer or all—would take the time to commune with flawed humans like us, BUT HE DOES. Talk to Him. Tell Him about your burdens. Praise Him for His goodness in your life. Ask Him to mend a situation. He wants to hear from you, and He desires for you to know Him. Communication is essential for earthly relationships, and it’s the same way in a relationship with God.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Matthew 22:37
To make Jesus our way of life and not just a part of our lives, we need to love and serve Him with all that we have—withholding nothing. A love for Him will be the catalyst for a devotion to Him. Love in its truest form is supported with words and actions. If Jesus is only a part of our lives, there is a disconnect between what we profess and how we live. If Jesus is our way of life, we seek to honor Him and those around us with every word and action, keeping Him at the center of it all.
Is He a part of your life, or is He your way of life? Are you all in for Him?
WALK ALONGSIDE ME 