“Have we met?”
“I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for. . .all who have not met me personally.” (Col. 2:1)
Why fight? Why try? I mean all we ever do is fail, right? Why should we continue to get up time and time again, when we know that another fall is right around the corner?
Well, that answer is complicated. First and foremost, we continue on because our hearts tell us to. Because that’s what people in love do. They pursue. True love cannot be tossed to the curb. It isn’t something that’s solely based on a feeling, although it can feel great. No, true love is based on a commitment. Jesus committed his very existence to us. His perfect life, his brutal death…all for you and me. And so, first and foremost, it is our hearts, which overflow with love for Jesus and all that he has done, that tell us to press on. Secondly, we continue because of righteous hate! As you read that last sentence, no doubt you thought it sounded a bit strange. A righteous hate? Is that possible? Think on this question for a moment: How does God feel about sin? The answer: Hate! God despises it! And as his children, we should do the same. Hear me now, I know that the following words will sound harsh, but I speak them only as a fallen individual. There are times that your love for God will not be enough for you to get back up and try again. And during those times, might I suggest something? Rely on you hate? Use the anger that you feel deep within for Satan. Let every divorce, every murder, every lie…let the thought of masses of lost people who are entrenched in sin spur you on! And then, when a righteous rage has come upon you…get back up and fight like you’ve never fought before! And that brings me to the third reason we should press on (and the point of this rambling). Because much to our chagrin, there are times when neither of the first two reasons will prod us into action. And during those times, we must, as the apostle Paul does here, do something revolutionary! Yes, during those times, we must force ourselves to think of others! The last and final key to living a life of passionate pursuit is a heart for those around you. When you find yourself in a rut and you truthfully feel like just staying there for a while… when you’ve been hurt or wounded in your spiritual journey and you feel like throwing in the towel, or worse yet, you start thinking about trading in your jersey for a comfy seat in the stands… in those moments you must stop and think! What about my wife or my husband? What about my kids? How will this affect my family and friends? And even beyond that, how will my lack of effort affect those whom I have not even met?
Friend, if you’re reading these words, I want you to know a few things:
- I know that it can be tough! Nowhere in the Bible does it ever say following Christ is easy. All it says is that it’s worth it!
- You are an ambassador! For some crazy reason, God has chosen us to represent Him! It is a monumental task, but it is one that speaks of how much God truly loves you. He loves you so much that he’s given you a role of great importance in the kingdom of heaven.
- Again, it’s worth it. Much of what you do will go unnoticed. Many will never truly know just how badly you really struggle. Some will look past how difficult it is to live a life of pursuit. Others will just point out how many times you fell. But God and his saints are in your corner. Hebrews 12 paints a picture of them cheering you and me on in this journey.
So, fight on! With all that is in you, fight on! Do it for the love of God. The one that saved you and called you. The one that has gifted you and is now empowering you as he sends you out. Do it for the hate of Satan! The bible describes him as a prowling lion. Always going after the weak. Always lurking in the shadows. Let that imagery anger you! Let it spur you on. And finally, fight for them! Your family, your friends, but also for the masses! For those that have not yet heard. For those that do not yet know.
Prayer: I love you Jesus! I pray that you would make me ever conscious of the world that surrounds me and the desperation that it contains. May I live for a higher calling, for a greater purpose than just me, and work and act according to your will that my labor in you would not be in vain!
Your Loving Pastor,
Jason Huddleston
