I wrote about the difference between following a religion and having a relationship with Jesus in I’m Not Just a Christian, I’m a Kingdom Citizen! already but I feel like there’s more that needs to be said about it. People have the misconception that becoming a Christian, as in giving your life to God, confessing with your mouth and believing in your heart that Jesus died for our sins, is an overnight thing. Like I said before, I too thought that way. I figured that when I was ready to give my life to Christ, that things would be easy. I thought that God would change me instantly and that I would no longer want to do ‘sinful’ things and everything would be smooth sailing. What I’ve come to learn is that ‘Christianity’ is a lifelong journey and it’s PERSONAL. Each person’s path is different but we are all heading in the same direction, towards God and fulfilling HIS purpose for our lives.
As Christians we need to let people know this and stop pretending that we are perfect and that we’ve got it all together. We need to let people know that whatever changes we’ve made in our lives and whatever blessings we’ve received did not just happen overnight. We have to let them know that we are a work in progress just like they are. They should know that when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior he gave us the Holy Spirit to help us along on the journey. They need to know that the Holy Spirit convicts us and we may no longer want to do certain things but we don’t all have the same convictions. There are things that you may be able to give up right away but for someone else it will take longer. Like I said, each relationship is personal and each path is different so we have to remember to stay in our own lanes and not compare ourselves to each other.
I’ve also learned that even though we are on a personal journey, we cannot walk the road alone. We have to surround ourselves with likeminded people to keep us accountable, to provide support and pray for us when we can’t pray for ourselves, and even to just have fun with! The world is so full of all sorts of distractions and warped ideals that have been normalized that, sometimes we need a friend to ask us “What Would Jesus Do?” when they see us straying a little bit. We fight against an unseen enemy that does not want us to fulfill our destiny. He wants us to lose our faith and God allows him to do things that test us, so we need friends that can remind us that we fight not against flesh and blood. Friends who can pray for us and stand in the gap for us until we can pull ourselves together! And lastly, being a Christian is not boring so we need friends who we can go out with and enjoy ourselves with. Friends that don’t think we are crazy when we say things like “God told me, or God put this on my heart”. Friends who don’t consider us ‘Jesus Freaks’ because we can’t stop talking about God and how good He is! LOL!
My journey has just begun and it has not been easy but I love the Lord and I know that He loves me. I will persist because I know that, “The steps of a good man/woman are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he/she fall, he/she shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand”. (Psalm 37:23-24). I’m grateful for the personal relationship I have with Him and for the people that He has sent in my life to walk with me!
Father I pray that anyone reading this that does not know You, will come to know You and the love You have for us! Father you loved us so much that You sent your only son to die for our sins! Thank You for your grace and mercy. Father use me as You will! In Jesus name, Amen!
Just doing my Father’s work
Crowned Papillon!
Crowned Papillon 