Even If i Walk Alone

Instructing and encouraging you to live your life as a disciple of Jesus

Love

Finding God’s Will for Your Life

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Determining what God wants you to do with your life is a very Western question. God made his will for us very plain in the Scriptures. Jesus told us to love God with all of our strength, all of our heart and all of our minds. He told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. He told us to give the hungry something to eat, the thirsty something to drink and to clothe those who were poor. He told us to visit the sick and those who are in prison. The apostles continued the mission of Christ and told us to care for the widows and the orphans, to look after those in need and to keep ourselves free from the trappings of the world. All of the above is the will of God for your life. You can stop trying to find your specific calling, because that’s it! There is not a specific call for your life other than to be part of the corporate call that He has given to all of us.

The implementation of the call of Jesus is where we start to get into specifics. God has uniquely gifted each one of us so that we might manifest His calling in our lives. The way we express the mission of Jesus to the world is distinct to each of us. However, we shouldn’t get caught up and stress over whether we should be an entertainer, a plumber, a pilot or a biologist. Those are details on the periphery. No matter what we choose to do in life, as long as we are doing the things Christ commanded us to do, we are living out our calling. There’s no secret formula to determining your place in the world. Simply use what God has given you to reach out in love to the world around you. Finding God’s will for your life is as simple as studying the Scriptures and learning to live a life that reflects and radiates Jesus.

Followers of Jesus in countries outside of the West, particularly the more poor or war ravaged regions, do not waken each day trying to determine what God wants them to be when they grow up. Rather they are simply thankful for their meager provisions and for living through another night so that they might have the opportunity to tell someone else about Jesus. They understand what the will of God is for their lives. They get the fact that the entire reason they are alive is to teach others about Jesus and to come alongside those who are hurting. I don’t believe a Christian genocide survivor in a refugee camp laments over whether they should be a doctor or a lawyer. They simply want to share Jesus with someone and invest in the lives of others. Our Western preoccupation with trying to determine our exact fit into the Kingdom has caused our true mission to be pushed aside. We are no longer solely focused on bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to those who desperately need Him; instead we are focused on what career path would bring us the most comfort while “serving” God.

God is a relational God, and relationships are never an exact science. Relationships are grown and nourished through constant communication and striving together toward a common goal. Relationships are messy and hard to define. There are a few guidelines but not a lot of rules. He clearly defined our mission. He has left the details of how that mission gets carried out in the hands of the free agents He created to go into the entire world displaying His light and glory. It’s time we stop seeking the perfect place in the Kingdom for ourselves or landing on the exact spot God created for us. The only spot created specifically for us is the one on which we now stand. Serve Jesus right where you are. Look around you; in what way could you carry out the mission of Christ right now?

Finding the will of God for your life is a very easy task. He has clearly revealed to us through Scripture everything He wants us to do. It’s time to throw off the excuse of “I’m trying to determine God’s will for my life”. You already know it. Now we must move forward in faith, fully trusting that He will take our imperfect efforts of living out our calling and turn them into something Beautiful for Him.

Your Role in the Kingdom

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What is your role in the Kingdom? Specifically, what are you uniquely gifted to do? I’ve recently been mulling over the concept that we all have the same command, but each of us have been uniquely gifted as to the ways we go about accomplishing that command. Every one of us is called to go and tell others about Jesus, to lead them to Christ and then to disciple them. We are told to go to the ends of the earth teaching about Him and demonstrating His love. Every follower of Jesus has the responsibility to feed the hungry, give water to those who thirst, clothe the needy, visit the sick and to care for those less fortunate than themselves. The orphans, the homeless, the discarded children from broken homes, the widows, and the single mothers are to be our focus. We are to love God with all that we are; He is to be everything to us. Finally we are to love everyone else the same way that we love ourselves; we are to put their needs before our own.

That is essentially what it means to be a follower of Jesus. In one paragraph we see all that we are supposed to do with our lives. It’s so simple. Following Jesus is not about a list of “do not’s” but rather a list of “do’s”. The Western church has become known more for what we are against than what we are for. Modern Christianity is more famous for its list of restrictions than it is for its charitable acts. This is antithetical to what Christ intended for His followers, and it is the polar opposite of the way we must live.

We know what to do, so the only questions that remain are “how will we live out our calling?” In what way will we use our unique talents and personality traits to do the work Jesus commanded us to do? The choreography of the cosmic dance orchestrated by God must be a thing of beauty to observe from Heaven. All of our unique expressions freely applied in His service, weaving back and forth in concert with one another. When we are all doing the things we should be doing, the resulting performance must be an amazing sight to behold. Unfortunately I’m sure that more often than not, our dance more resembles that of a kindergarten ballet, a chaotic sea of aimless movement teetering ever so closely to being out of control. It is only when we come together in unified purpose, when we begin to take our cues from the director, that our aimless flailing is turned into beautiful dance.

One of the beautiful mysteries of our mission is the way each of us has been given unique and specific gifts, yet we are urged to “diligently keep the unity of the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:3). With all of the freewill and individuality that God has placed within us all, His goal is that we might use all that diversity to form one complete picture. Much like a puzzle that depicts a beautiful mountainside, the individual pieces do not convey the majesty of the final scene. We must never be proud of the gifts we possess, because each is made more beautiful when fitted together with the gifts of another. We can achieve a little on our own; we can achieve much when working together with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

How have you been uniquely gifted? What role has God given you to play in His grand design? Think back to your childhood, what sort of things were you passionate about? What excites you? These are great clues to the gifts God has placed within you. He gives us passions and interests that are uniquely blended on His canvas. Don’t waste what God has given you, don’t refuse to play your part in His masterpiece. You were created for a purpose and you are alive to fulfill it. The stage is set; the Director awaits. Join the ensemble; play your role. Dance to the rhythm He has defined in you alone, for the Glory of the One who sits on Heaven’s throne.

Asking for Help

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The New Testament focuses greatly on unity among the believers. Too many of us tend to believe we can do it on our own, and strike out on our path with no companions. This is not the way Christ intended us to live. Following Jesus is extremely relational. We need other followers to travel with us in order to gain from their perspectives and for the times we require assistance. It appears to me that we believe there is some form of merit to be gained if we travel alone and battle through the tough times without aid from someone else. Jesus kept twelve friends close by Him; when He sent His disciples out into the world, He sent them in pairs. Paul took along a companion or two on his missionary trips. We need each other to best carry out the mission of Jesus Christ.

Why are we so afraid to ask for help? We allow our pride to become our downfall. In Proverbs 16:18, the Bible tells us that “Pride comes before destruction”. When we do not ask for help, we are plotting our own demise. Plans fail, fortunes are squandered and relationships are ruined simply because we refuse to ask for help. Jesus said that whatever we ask for in His name, He’ll give it to us (John 14:13). Jesus specifically tells us to ask, and yet still we do not. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of obedience. Asking for help is not an admission of incompetence, but rather a declaration of humility. By refusing to ask for help we miss out on the beauty of the divine dance, we deprive someone else of an opportunity to gain the blessing of helping a brother or sister in the name of Jesus.

By allowing someone to come to your assistance in a time of need, you not only are showing your own humility, but you are also demonstrating love to the one you ask for help. When you allow them to serve you, you are permitting them to live out their own calling and to exercise their unique gifts. Each of us must work together for the good of the Kingdom. We must come alongside one another, and allow someone to come alongside of us as well. We need to learn to see asking for help as a beautiful part of our mission. When we ask for help, we allow the Body of Christ to act in unity with one another, and this is truly a magnificent site to behold. Jesus prayed that His followers would be one, just as He and God are one (John 17:22). Can you imagine loving each other in such a way? It will require us to be totally upfront with one another and to put aside all pretenses. It will occasionally involve us getting hurt, and it will certainly be messy at times. However, walking in unity is what Christ commanded us to do, and so we have no option. We must put aside our pride and tear off the masks that hide who we really are. We desperately need one another.

Are you hesitant to ask for help? Are you living in unity with other followers of Jesus? Don’t miss out on the blessings of sharing your life with someone else. True followers of Jesus do what Jesus did, and Jesus kept twelve close friends around Him all the time. He mingled among the crowds and touched those in need. Once again, we have a beautiful example of what our lives should look like. How are you doing? Do you still harbor too much pride? I know I struggle with this frequently. Let’s trade our pride for humility and submit our lives fully to Christ. Let’s come clean and admit we desperately need help, that we simply can’t do anything on our own. Jesus stands ready to act on your behalf; our brothers and sisters long for the opportunity to serve Christ by serving you. Release your fears, lower your defenses, and throw away your pride. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Your Words Define You

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If we are going to live lives that look like Jesus, then we must live in such a way that it is obvious to others. It is not good enough to simply have the head knowledge or even the heart knowledge. We need to put what we know into action. While our activities will certainly go a long way towards defining who we are to others, perhaps nothing will say more about us than the words we choose to speak.

One of the most compelling verses for me in regards to my choice of words is found in Ephesians 4:29, where we read that our talk should only be in a manner that builds up someone else. Everything we say must be for the good of others. We are not to negatively criticize, gossip, or intentionally hurt another by what we say. Every time we speak, we should be speaking words of encouragement, of optimism and of love. People should feel better about themselves after speaking with us. That is what it means to build someone up. Leave them better and stronger than they were before your conversation. A little further in the chapter, in verse 31 we find instructions against being bitter and for putting aside anger, insult, slander, wrath and wickedness. I know for too many years in my life that would have left me with nothing to talk about. It can still be a struggle at times; when you are surrounded by people talking in negative terms, tearing others down, it can almost become contagious. That is why it is very important to not only guard your own speech, but also to be very careful about with whom you are choosing to associate. If you hang out with negative people who always put others down, you will find yourself leaning towards the same inclinations.

As you begin to change your patterns and habits of speech, prepare for others to take notice. Some will make fun of you and perhaps you may even lose a few friends. My experience is that most of these friends will come back over time as you continue to model a life that looks like Jesus. Most people are drawn to love and light, and as long as we are reflecting the glory of God, that is what they will see in us. Don’t worry about what others may think, simply live a life that Jesus will find pleasing. When you are criticized by others, ask yourself if you would rather behave in the manner that they do. If you wouldn’t then why would you even think of accepting their counsel as to how you should live your life? Accept instruction from wise people, those who love and fear God. Don’t get caught in the trap of emulating those who live in ways that are contrary to the mission of Christ.

As you begin to change your speech patterns to only build others up, this is the perfect time to seek out those who most need an encouraging word. Smile and speak kindly to those whom most simply ignore: for example, the cashier at the store, the janitor at your place of work, the homeless person you pass on the street. Words are free, they cost you nothing; but they can be of immense value to someone who is struggling. All of us can afford to give away the love of Jesus. His love is vast and there is plenty to go around. Develop a new habit of really seeing those you encounter throughout the day. Give them your undivided attention as you listen, look behind the stories to see their pain, and then speak an encouraging word into their lives. Be genuine, smile, and marvel at what God can do through your simple act of kindness.

Be careful of the words you say. You never know who might be listening and how they may be affected by them. Use only words of encouragement, words that will build up someone in need. Put away gossiping and insults forever; determine to only speak in positive and uplifting ways. Surround yourself with others who are also committed to building up others. As you genuinely speak love into the lives of others, you will find your own life changing in wonderful ways as you move ever closer to living a life which truly reflects that of Jesus.

Kindness and Compassion

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As followers of Jesus, one of our hallmarks is to show kindness and compassion to everyone we meet. Jesus modeled this beautifully when He was here on earth. He had compassion on the weak, the sick and the criminal. He showed kindness to the poor, the outcast, and the foreigner. Ephesians 4:32 tells us we should be kind, compassionate, and forgiving of one another. In Colossians 3:12-13 we read that not only are we to show kindness and compassion to each other, but also to be gentle, humble and accepting. Living life in such a manner would be a beautiful reflection of God. We want to live a life that looks like Jesus, so why is it so hard to behave in this way?

Forgiveness is always difficult. Our reaction to being hurt, whether emotionally or physically, seems to always be to respond in kind. It takes great discipline and maturity to restrain from lashing out. Above all, it takes great love to react appropriately. Unless we truly love others, we will never be able to successfully and consistently forgive them. Love is the key and the enabler of forgiveness. Further on in Ephesians (chapter 5, verse 2), we are instructed to walk in love, just as Jesus walked in love. Jesus loved us so much that He sacrificed everything He was for each one of us. This is true beauty. Without love, everything else is useless (see I Corinthians 13). Without love we cannot clearly demonstrate kindness and compassion; you can’t fake these things. When you offer a helping hand to someone, if it’s not genuine, it will more than likely be dismissed. No one wants to be condescended to and few will want your pity. Genuine kindness, however, is a rare and beautiful thing with almost universal acceptance.

What can you do today to demonstrate kindness to someone else? Ask the Lord to burn compassion deep into your heart, so that you may see others as He sees them. As Bob Pierce prayed years ago, beg God to break your heart with the things that break His. When your heart is broken by what you see, don’t weep and pass by; don’t simply become angry at the injustice that surrounds you. Rather, compassionately embrace the hurt that is front of you. Offer and employ genuine assistance out of pure kindness. Do the thing that Jesus would do; touch the untouchable, hug someone who smells of life on the street, and care for the needs of someone less fortunate than you.

Becoming angry at injustice is a good thing if the response is genuine and winsome. We mustn’t respond to injustice with hate, but rather with love. Compassion does not need to be a passive word. Compassion mixed with zeal can rescue children from the horrors of trafficking and can feed hungry refugees displaced from their homes by natural disaster or national genocide. Kindness and compassion require the active verb of love before they can be fully engaged. Without love, our actions are worthless. Without action, our love is hollow and disingenuous.

A simple smile, a small gesture or an out of the blue compliment can do wonders for the outlook of another. In a world filled with pain and sorrow, a little kindness will go a long way. Never become too busy to notice the needs of those around you. Never become so self-absorbed that you become blind to those in need to whom you can show compassion. Discipline yourself to never let an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus pass you by. They will know we are Christians by our love. Love is activated by our kindness and compassion toward others. Make certain you find someone to love today.