Perhaps if you grew up in a Christian home or attending Sunday School, you were taught that being a Christian meant asking Jesus into your heart.
And that’s true. But that’s not all of it.
Following Jesus isn’t about whether or not you miss a church service (or haven’t even found a church home yet). It isn’t about which pastors you agree with, whether or not you tithe, what your political views are, or how often you pray.
It all comes down to one simple question.
Who or what do you orient your life around?
And if the answer is anything but Jesus, it seems like you may be following something else instead.
Because if you put Jesus at the center of your life, your decision making, and your way of interacting with others, then everything will change. It will be evident that something greater than you is at work.
Now, this doesn’t mean you have to go around preaching the Bible to every single person you meet. It isn’t the stereotypical image of being a “good Christian”. In fact, I don’t believe there’s really any “good Christian”; that just sets up an unachievable image that turns people away.
I believe what matters is that we try our best and don’t give up on our relationship with God.
I’ll confess that I struggle at keeping Jesus at the center of my life. I often want my plans or dreams to come into fruition and then have the faith element happen later. But that’s not how faith works. Faith comes out of not knowing how things will work out, but believing that God is faithful regardless.
So how can we keep Jesus at the center of our lives without making it performative or have the act of “being a Christian” take over the true essence of embodying God’s love?
Do things that bring you closer to Jesus that don’t require an audience.
Read the Bible on your own, not to master a passage, but to envelope yourself in God’s promises.
Pray by yourself at a time when you know you won’t be disturbed.
Immerse yourself in God’s creation, appreciating God’s eye for beauty.
Don’t go out of your way to preach the Bible to others, but instead experience who God is and do your best to imitate that.
Most of all, be open to when God is speaking to you. See who God leads you to, what opportunities would best allow you to shine God’s light, and when is it time to refuel yourself in God’s peace and rest.
Following Jesus isn’t a simple checklist that can be completed in a lifetime. The truth is, no one can complete it because none of us can perfectly embody Jesus’ characteristics.
It’s more of a process, a true relationship. And I’ll guarantee, it’s the best relationship for you to invest in. ❤
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10
The Will to Wake Up 