Brake check on your following of Jesus

If you have ever tried to follow someone, either in a car or elsewhere, you know that following has interesting challenges. As I was following a pastor to a restaurant after speaking at his church I began to think about the importance of distance in following someone. If you are following another car and get too far behind another car can get between you and then you will lose sight of them. The other danger is also true. If you get to close to the car in front you might not see something in front of them and run into them when they have to break.

The same is true as we try to follow Jesus and live a life of the Spirit. The first danger is that we get too far behind. Jesus is moving and we should be too! If God leads us somewhere and we drag our feet the things of life may sneak between us and Him and we will miss where He is going. This is an especially true challenge if you are a person that doesn’t like change. God may do something different just to see if you are still following Him. As Mark Batterson says, “Change of Pace + Change of Place = Change of Perspective.” Sitting still can keep us from missing what God might have for us.

[tweetthis]Sitting still can keep us from missing what God might have for us.[/tweetthis]

Those of you who are nodding your head right now because that is easy for you might need to be aware of the other danger. Getting too close or even getting ahead of Jesus. This is the side of the equation that often I need to guard against. If I see Jesus going somewhere rather than letting Him set the pace I try to get there before Him. I say, “I think I know how this is going to work” and start filling in the steps. When I do that I can be working in my own strength and miss the resources that Jesus would have provided.

That is why we are encouraged to, “keep in step with the Spirit.” (Gal 5:25) As you look at your own walk with Jesus are you getting ahead or falling behind? Do you know what you are most likely to do in order to guard against it?

A lesson you can use from my “almost a month” in northern MN

For most of this month I have been staying in a house about four-five hours from my home. It was an interesting experience for me. I had scheduled all of my speaking up that direction so I was still spending time preaching. I had a few goals for my time up there. First, I am working on my third book so this was some time for writing. Second I am working on what I am calling the “Clear the bookshelf challenge.” For about a year now I have been working through the books on my bookshelf with the idea that I wanted to read each book completely, or just get something out of it, or give it away. This time in northern MN was some extra reading time. The third goal was an experiment in solitude.

Now it wasn’t exactly solitude, but it had some elements that I wanted to test. First, my time online would be limited since the house did not have Wi-Fi. I had internet through my phone but needed to watch my data use. Other than my preaching I only had one appointment while I was up there. The first week I would spend by myself. The second week my daughter would join me, and the last week and half my wife and mother in law would be there.

There were various lessons learned, but one of the most important ones is that solitude helps us learn to trust God. Before I went up there I was reminded of the quote by Richard Foster: “Solitude helps us resign as CEO of the universe.” I have a matching challenge fundraiser going on for the ministry for the summer, but I have to trust that God will do in two months what I am not sure can be done in three. Allowing a space for silence is letting God speak for you.

[tweetthis]Solitude helps us resign as CEO of the Universe.-Richard Foster[/tweetthis]

Not that I am never to speak again, I am writing this post after all. But stepping back gave me time to let God take the lead. It is easy as a “follower” of Jesus to guess where He is going and try to get there before He does.

Many of you wouldn’t need to get away for three and a half weeks to be reminded of this important lesson. Maybe an hour of silence would be a challenge. How about a short walk without your cell phone? As I gave him space not only did He teach me trust, but He filled that space with an awareness of His love and presence. Will you experiment with solitude in your life?

Some opportunities you just have to jump on!

I hope that you enjoy the posts that come your way. Would you join the team to make a difference in prayer around the world. We have a generous donor that has agreed to match any new monthly supporters of the ministry for the first year up to $500 a month. This challenge only last this summer so we need your help to make it happen. Every little bit helps (and is doubled) Would you email me at kevinccadmin_wp@gmail.com to let me know what you would do? Or learn how to give at http://christconnection.cc/donate/ . Thanks so much!