I am interested in the creatures that live at the bottom of the ocean where is pitch black, but I do not want to entertain anything of me at that depth of blackness.
In looking up the word "following"......I saw this:
"a happening, a coming next, following someone in the direction they are going. It was also noted that following was giving favor to the one they are following.
So, if Jesus is not number 1 on our list, what is number 1?
In "following" another, the words speak this way:
tracking, shadowing, tailing, stalking, and movement.
Now movement sounds like a powerful word. In a movement to "follow" or "like" something someone posted, are we gearing up for the movement to towards that "alcohol" announcement at the local brewery? How about shopping all weekend?
But that word stalking is dangerous. And the word tracking sounds like tracking wolves or coyotes.
If we are enthusiasts, what are we enthused about? Is it being connected with something like a new beer ad over a new brewery thing or technique.
Was it someone else's like and sent it to you to like as well..........and in that, was I enthused someone saw my name listed made a few clicks with the cursor.......and boom in the "likes" that makes me want to live another day?
In working on this today, I was made aware of yesterday when our team was going to connect, yes, by phone. Time: noon. Everyone is a "go" and answering cell phone, I hear two broken words, and the sound of metal vibrating somewhere. Oh yeah, it is the sound no one likes.
In every other sentence spoken, I hear only very broken English. In truth, I ask, "can you hear me now?"
I wonder what Jesus would have done with my cell phone yesterday. After the struggle to hear not only on the phone, but switching cell phones with their comrades, still broken English, and loud metal sound culminating in 'CALL LOST'. AND then this same cell phone had the audacity to state we were leaving cell service area. I was in my kitchen, standing by my cabinet watching eggs boil in a pan. How could I possibly be leaving cell service area, I ask you?
If Jesus had had internet, would He use it like we try to use it?
Even with the most notable fast action tools used today.........and with the most noted circulating news team without paper relaying over thousands of miles in just seconds He would say, "I told you this would happen." Remember He is God!
So a tool like internet with a force that will direct people into their future by either being " liked" or "disliked" about a certain new swag, a new way to communicate, whether we voted for the newest baby bottle, or sent in our own pictures of the meteor shower, seeking to share with others what we have seen, or been taught. Jesus shared His heart. He spoke face to face.
What happened to speaking face to face? I remember my grandparents and father speaking with people at the city gate. They ( my grandparents) had a feed store and they could meet with people, find their need and meet it and still have some communication time with customers.
In those long ago days, I remember people reflecting on their day, their week possibly and finding something to laugh about in the hard life of any farmer or rancher in the south. They either dealt with drought, floods, partial rains but coming too late, and all their pain and sacrifice, they spoke a passion of their heart and spoke with others about it face to face.
I remember their faces, and I remember the smile when they were greeted by their name and given a well remembered conversation with another on being in the trenches of life, with some suffering and a zeal to continue. Crops came in or they failed, still communication was a need for those who hungered to have success in what they did with the soil, for what they brought to their family and to the community.
Is an instant "like" enough to carry people into something good or is it placing one in a needy position to always have someone like them, even if they do not know them.
The people who came to the feed store needed help with their plants, possibly a stronger seed to plant and all that was planted was seen to support the family who planted it all. In their zeal to be farmers, they spoke with other farmers, they met together and sometimes for just minutes to fill their order for the week, or a month. Voices were heard communicating about the fields of crops and what might be on the horizon in the weeks and months to come.
In the family unit, and being part of a community, standing next to you, I will listen and pray with you. If you post something that I did, I will ask what teaching encouraged you the most, but walk a mile with me in the a. m. hour and then I would be sensitive to know you really want to know me.
Yes, I still think on those days I got a few minutes down at the "store". It surely smelled like chemical fertilizers to me, but I also remember those who reflected life to others. They spoke of victory over those sandy fields. They gave voice to their hearts desire, and in those values, they honored others and let them know so by talking with them face to face. They gave from minutes to hours to see and speak face to face.
In Jesus we have the wisdom of God that created the heavens and the earth. In Jesus, we see the genuine, the Proven and that worth keeping.
What people "liked" last week may be the antique today. What they loved may be outdated now or tomorrow. Beliefs and those modes of thinking over a network of connecting might be good in a quick and timely event, but the closeness of the truly caring heart may be missing.
Correspondence is necessary and should never be discarded.
Jesus was sent to us out of love. That next "like" you receive, will it be laced with same kind of love? Or is it just superficial and allows no responsibility on either's part to participate in each other's lives?
We are in the world but not of it.
Communicating with Jesus is also following Him. And the communication with the Spirit was the secret to Christ's ministry.
You might tell me how you swam off the shores of an Hawaiian island and saw some special creatures around a coral reef. You might even have pictures and I would be happy you got to do that. It would and should be enjoyable to him/her who loves the sea and its creatures and gets to snorkel and discover those things under the sea. We can make room for doing those things. Good job and working hard can contribute to a substantial check to pay for those things that bring a smile.
But we must remember too that the more room we make for Jesus in our lives, the more we have His power in us. Without the constant awareness of God and of His nature, we inevitably reduce our vision to what is accomplished on the internet and other aspects of it. We too can become shallow and no have no commitment to anything or anyone.
There are things that you like, and I like and it shows in what we talk about, what we wear and what we love to do.
But staying closer to God, keeps us aware of He who invades the impossible when the perspectives of those around us are only focused on the temporary and physical of circumstances.
Following what you love, will take you forward or hold you at the door. Jesus desires leaders. He desires us to know the battle's been won. With whole hearts on fire, not just with a "like" but loving Him with a passion will speak with more fire and more glory to His name.
I wait to hear from you. Let me know what you are following. Will it have life and breath for you?
Jesus makes us brave. In Him, the weak find strength. The enemy has to leave. ALL CONDEMNED FEEL NO SHAME.
IN following, may there light where you walk. It is the place where the lost are saved! And it is finding a way into the glorious life you and I were always meant to live. IT is following the One Who has received heaven's crown. Amen!
I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT. THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.
Notice:
The Voice of Prayer has a new teaching published:
Prayer Brings an Atmosphere of Awe and Amazement
You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV
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