FOLLOWING JESUS TAKES PRACTICE

Summary: Following Jesus is a lifelong journey that requires consistent effort and practice, not just a one-time decision. It’s about aligning one’s life with His teachings and example, embracing His values, and living a life of discipleship. This involves daily habits of prayer, reflection, and actively choosing to live following His teachings.

Being Christian is not at all natural to us, nor do we achieve being Christian by instinct. Faith and spiritual growth are not passive processes but require intentional effort and active engagement. It emphasizes that becoming a more authentic Christian involves making conscious choices, taking deliberate actions, and pursuing God’s will. Spiritual growth is cultivated through consistent practice and intentional effort.

Our growth in Christ doesn’t come via osmosis, nor is there a passive transfer of God’s character and heart without real practice. Our efforts without practice will be littered with frustrations and failures, starts and stops, like so many New Year’s resolutions. No, we have to allow God to direct our path, to have faith in His leading, to wait upon Him, to surrender and let go of our agenda, exercise faith, to wait on the Holy Spirit for direction. God has a good plan for your life. His will is for you to walk forward, confident in His love, trusting Him to take care of you all along the way. Moving forward means walking toward the purpose God has for us.

In Jeremiah 29:1-11, the prophet Jeremiah speaks to the nation of Israel as they navigate a difficult time. He tells them that while they were waiting for deliverance, they needed to live intentionally, showing up for each day. Even though they didn’t have what they wanted, God still had a mission for them to accomplish, and they needed to practice their faith and trust in God.

The reality is that God doesn’t always provide the answers we want, even though we work hard following Him. It is hard to know when we are face-to-face with trials and troubles. It is in these times that we are called to faithfully live out God’s mission every day by putting our faith into action. We continue practicing the way by caring for our families, loving our neighbors, and participating in a church community. Whether they are large or small, each day we find ways to live on mission for God intentionally.

The Christian journey is not a passive state but a journey of growth and development. This growth involves studying God’s Word, praying regularly, engaging in meaningful conversations with others, and actively living out one’s faith in daily life

Being Christian takes practice.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some practical ways you are or could be practicing the way of God? What hinders your pursuit of God, and what helps you overcome these obstacles?