While apparently never finding truth himself, Buddha is credited with a wise quote I find applicable to our Christian walk. It is reported he said, “There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth…not going all the way, and not starting”. How tragic it is for anyone who never embarks on a journey of pursuing Christ. I don’t understand it. I can’t even conceive how they get through a single day.
I find believing in anything but Jesus requires far too much faith and suspension of disbelief. But that is all fodder for a different article. Since I’m assuming most if not all the readers of this blog believe Jesus is indeed the Son of God, I want to focus on those who begin their faith journey but quit too soon.
Following Jesus is difficult. I get it. Unless we keep our focus on Him at all times, the Christian life can seem lonely, thankless, and even futile. When our eyes are on Him though, we recognize who He is and who we are in His sight. It is glorious. Everything we do, we do for His honor and so He might be glorified. He gives our lives meaning and purpose. He is our God, our King, our Creator, Savior, and Lord. Jesus alone is worthy of our praise, love, and devotion. How can you think about these things and not get excited?
If you find yourself stuck or perhaps having quit in your pursuit of Christ, let me encourage you to begin again. Where you are now is the perfect place to resume your quest for Christ. He’s still beside you. He is still for you. What was it that caused you to stumble or pause? Is it really worth giving up all Christ has to offer? When it comes time for you to leave this earth, are you going to be satisfied with the effort you put towards grasping the truth of God’s Kingdom?
There is a horrifying element to not going all the way. When it comes to Jesus, you must be all in or left behind (Matthew 7:21-23). The holiness of God will not tolerate compromise or a lukewarm commitment (Revelation 3:15-16). If you won’t go all the way, you may as well quit now. The road is too hard to travel unless you are committed to going all the way.
If you’ve started the journey of faith in Christ, go all the way. Nothing else will enable you to find the amazing truth of God’s character. Stopping short will deprive you of the fullness of God’s love for you. If you don’t go all the way, you’ll never know how far He was willing to take you. You’ll miss out on the very meaning of your life. Never forget Christ went all the way for you. He didn’t stop half-way to the cross, and He didn’t only partially rise from the dead. He endured every last insult, every last beating, and took on every last sin so you could live. Jesus didn’t quit on you. Will you go all the way for Him?