Skip to main content

Follower

Have you ever thought about what you may want written on your tombstone? They are  final words that are written about you and intended to encompass who you were and how you lived.  They are etched into stone in hopes that they will stand the rest of time. They are powerful words. Years of living summarized in one short sentence.

Recently, I read a verse and thought, "That would be an honor if it were used to summarize my life.  I'm not sure I'm bold enough to state it myself. I'm also not sure it has the same impact if I ask for it to be on my tombstone. Rather, it would be an honor if God said it about me."

The words I'm speaking of come from Matthew 21:6, "The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them." I think space is limited on a tombstone. So, maybe it would better be stated as, "He did what he was told to do."

To me, the goal of being a Christian is to follow.  The word follow shows up in the Bible over 400 times. The first it is mentioned is in Genesis and the last is in Revelation. Jesus said to Peter and the guys He was fishing with,'“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”" (Matthew 4:19)

When we follow Jesus we choose love as our modus operandi or our way of doing things. He gave us a new commandment. We are to love one another as Jesus loved us.  By the way we love they will know we are His disciples (followers).  Love needs to become the filter through which we see all things and is the motivation for all actions because we have chosen to follow Jesus. 

I don’t know about you, but reading that last sentence is difficult. When I consider my actions and what I see in this world, I fall short of this bar set by Jesus. There are times when my words, temper, and thoughts lack love. There are times that if a person who doesn’t know Jesus saw or heard me, they would question if I were a follower of Jesus. I hope that my moments of shining like a follower of Jesus outweigh my moments described above. 

I long for God to say, "His tombstone should read 'He did what he was told to do.'" It would mean I loved like Jesus. I’m not there yet.  I’m still a work in progress trying to do what I am told.  

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Matt


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Anchor House Week 31 - NAMMA

The first week of August, I had the chance to attend the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) Conference. NAMMA is an ecumenical, Christian association of individuals and affiliated organizations involved in maritime ministry throughout North America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. I had the privilege of attending the conference with our summer intern, Gabe. For both of us it was the first time we had the chance to be a part of the conference. I enjoyed getting to meet so many individuals who serve the Lord across the globe. Each of us serves at different ports and in unique ways. The exchange of ideas was both enjoyable and informative, especially for me as the new guy. Each of the people I met had a heart for the seafarer and the challenges they face. Their hearts poured out to show the love of Jesus to the men and women aboard the vessels that visit their respective ports.   One of the highlights of the trip was meeting one
Post a Comment
Read more

Anchor House Week12: Constant

I've gotten almost a week behind on my reflections from Anchor House. It seems there just isn't enough time in the day.  The way these blogs come together is different from week to week.  Some weeks God puts a message clearly on my heart. Others it feels like a struggle to put "pen to paper".   This week was one of those that I knew exactly what I'd write about. However, each day passed and I missed the opportunity. You see, I write best in the mornings. Not sure if it's the limited distractions, a product of my habit of practicing my spiritual disciplines in the morning, or something else entirely. Most of my afternoon writing is intelligible and requires numerous edits.  In the AM, however, they seem to make more sense.   What's funny is that as I am writing, I am feeling God moving.  He's moving from what I thought I was to write about to what He wants me to share. These shifts and changes are a part of the shipping industry.  Things hap
Post a Comment
Read more

King of the Jews

Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped Him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.” The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus g
Post a Comment
Read more