I Never Knew You!!!!

There are times when I blog and it takes hours to get the thoughts down. And there are times, like today, where my fingers can't move fast enough.

There is one place I just don't like to be, that's outside of Gods will. But being that my name is not Jesus, my feet still pitter patter off in their own direction. Even when I have the best of intentions. That's called being human. It can be as simple as not responding in a conversation the way Jesus would have. Or passing over a window of opportunity. Or not listening to that little voice that is telling me to do something...yet I don't. Being outside of Gods will is not just left for the Prodigal son or daughter, it's in our everyday....moment by moment decisions. The times when we wonder if He really is there, does He really hear our cry?


Imagine in heaven God shows you His plan for your earthly life. You see footprints walking through each day. On most days there are two sets of prints, walking side by side. You ask, "Father, are those my footprints every day, and is the second set of prints when You joined me?" He answers, "No, my child. The consistent footprints are Mine. The second set of footprints are when you joined Me."
"Where were You going, Father?"
"To the destiny I planned for you, hoping you'd follow."
"But, Father, where are my footprints all those times?"
"Sometimes you went back to look at old resentments and habits. Sometimes, you departed from My path and chose your own instead. Other times your footprints can even be seen on another persons path because you liked their plan better. At other times, you simply stopped because you would not let go of something you could not take with you."
"But even if I didn't walk with You every day, we ended up OK, didn't we?"
He holds you close and smiles, "Yes child, we ended up OK. But, you see, OK was never what I had in mind for you."
"Father, what are those golden treasure boxes on certain days?"
"Blessings, My child, I had for you along the way. Those that are open are those you received. Those still closed were the days you did not walk with Me."
(Beth Moore, Breaking Free).

Tears rolled down my face the first time I read this. I could just imagine my Dad having this conversation with me. And how sad I was to think I had walked right through His blessings, without a second thought.

The most incredible sermon I have ever witnessed was in Africa. Chris Apedue, Pastor from Ghana. He has an incredible ministry that revolves around the Jesus of the first century, not the Jesus that is evolving in the 21st century. Now, I realize some of you just lifted an eyebrow... what ministry isn't about the person of Jesus? Well I think that is a great question. Jesus was a radical. He made pretty outlandish requests. Would I let the dead bury the dead? Would I go homeless. Would I love him so much that when compared to other love it made them look like hate? Selling my possessions and giving it to the poor? Are we settling for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves (Radical, David Platt)?

The will of the Father. Are we willing? Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who calls out to me, "Lord Lord," will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgement day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord. We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name." But I will reply, "I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break Gods law."

That is a sobering scripture. Notice he was not talking to non-believers, he was talking to Christians. Jesus calls us to leave certainty for uncertainty, safety for danger, self-preservation for self-denunciation, instead of self promoting... Jesus calls us to crucify ourselves, dying to ourselves and picking up His way.  Does His will for my life really include Nordstroms? Is He asking me to get a little "uncomfortable?"  I think so.  The middle class American version of Jesus versus the 1st century Jesus.  I guess that's what I realize is happening to me. I saw the 1st century Jesus in Africa, and am learning what it means to bring that Jesus back home, to my air conditioned... cell phones... microwave... I-pad... Park Meadows... Starbucks life. All while remaining in His will. And walking with His footprints. So that when I do meet my Maker, I hear well done my good and faithful servant, not I never knew you.

Trust me, I have more questions than answers. And I am on a journey just like the rest of you. And I'm not saying that having "stuff" is wrong. I'm simply asking myself the question, Is this His will for my life? Am I following His commands without redifiing them with my 2011 glasses on?