This one, I think, came from a realisation within myself that I had not completely surrendered my all to Jesus in Truth. Not only that, but that was the case among some of my Christian friends. I know it really is a hard decision to make, and I know within myself that I haven't completely surrendered even now, but it is an ESSENTIAL one for everyone's Christian walk. Don't misunderstand my intent in this piece to say that follow God and you'll have an easy life. What is meant to be brought out is the fact that if we follow God, we don't need to worry about our problems because He will bear them for us if we let Him.
Matthew 16: 24 - 26
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16: 24 - 26
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Who's Running Your Show?
Everything tends to fade into the background when you put God at centre stage. Then there's a power cut and all the lights go. Everything disappears, or so you think. You realise that you can still see Him emitting His own glorious, perfect Light. He bathes your Christian friends in it, your mini New Testament in your pocket, and your iPod playing that Jeremy Camp CD you just bought. He makes you see all that He wants you to, shutting out all other distractions. God's light is brighter than any spotlight you can find on Broadway, and His music is better than any musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. When Jesus plays lead, the Spirit plays the supporting roles and the Big Guy Upstairs is the director, you get the most awesome production you could .
ever imagine!
The single issue is you.
Are you a stage-hog?
Does it scare you to stay in the audience and watch the production of your life unfold in front of you?
Giving up control is the hardest thing for an accomplished actor like yourself.
18 years - maybe more, maybe less - experience with acting and playing the lead in your own play...who can possibly know more than you?
Fortunately for you though, that Awesome Trio runs this really cool drama club that you should join. They teach you how to be on stage and not even have to act - this is far superior to that method acting thing so-called "professionals" use. Imagine living your life and not having to act like someone you're not. They all show you how to be the person you were made to be and even to enjoy it! Although you don't get a chance to be the director, you DO get a chance to be the Lead if you work hard enough. You start as an understudy and if you keep attending regularly you'll evolve into a double! It'll take some real hard work and some SERIOUS dedication, but once you nail the part, you'll be a full time lead. The best part about it is that even if you forget a line or miss a cue, you know you have a Perfect Partner to jump in - all you have to do is ask Him. Soon enough, you'll get get SO good that people might even start to mistake you for Jesus. Imagine people seeing Jesus in you. Not too bad eh? And all this is part of the sit-back-and-relax package that The Director is offering. It's all a no-brainer if you ask me. Why delay?
The thing is...we're all in a theatre we borrowed from God, and He doesn't even charge us rent. You need to realise that He wants the best for you, and much as you love the stage, it's actually the hardest place to be and Jesus tells us that His yoke is easy and His burden light. With that in mind, He puts us in the most comfortable place - the audience. Sure it'll seem strange at first just seeing how that perfect trio operates. You might even feel incomplete without full access to the stage, but rest assured that The Director has been in the business a LOT longer than you - ordering faithful people's steps. That Lead Guy? Gather 2000 years of practice and come back and try again. Don't even get me started on that guy playing the Supporting Role. He supports more than 1 billion people a day - at the same time - providing comfort, encouragement, and gentle nudges in the right direction...
Imagine, joining the greatest drama club ever, learning from the Highest Authority on life.
Imagine getting to watch a perfectly perfect show, in the most comfortable chair, by the most experienced team in existence.
Admission?
Free.
~Xavier Lloyd.
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Lovely perspective, refreshing outlook!
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