One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Our property is located near a national nature trail. Recently, builders have reconstructed a wooden overlook that anchors the end of the trail closest to our house. This was done in preparation for the 50th anniversary celebration of the dedication of Greers Ferry Dam, a concrete dam built on the Little Red River for flood control and hydroelectric power. Last night after dinner, Greg, Timothy and I took a walk to check out the overlook. We had to go down a dirt path through a heavily wooded area. The overlook is surrounded on three sides by thick woods, and the bluff underneath that leads to the river is thickly forested, also. Timothy’s latest “thing” is a fear of the forest. He told me all afternoon that there were monsters, alligators and crocodiles (and zombies and vampires!) in the forest, and that his dad would protect him from all of these… that “Daddy will defeat the monsters in the forest.”
I’ll be the first to tell you that putting Jesus first can be scary. We depend on our relationships with others… they make us feel safe, loved, important. Our earthly relationships represent a “comfort zone” that can extend to material possessions, our job, our hobbies and interests, and more. Change is often hard… and letting go of what we know and love can be truly difficult and uncomfortable.
Just as we were not asking Timothy to stay in the woods by himself, God isn’t calling you to do this with Him, either. He’s not saying you have to fend for yourself. But you have to be willing to trust Him and step out on your own – with only Him – in order to fully experience Christian discipleship. While this sometimes means you have to disassociate completely from people and things that compete for your attention, it often means you just have to reorder your priorities. So you don’t have to “divorce” yourself completely from your spouse or partner, your parents, siblings, cousins, friends… or even your hobbies and possessions. You just have to understand that they all take a backseat to Jesus Christ and your relationship with Him!
I’m amazed at how a four-year-old like Timothy can grasp something we often cannot. In his night-time prayers, he said, “Father, thank You for keeping Uncle Greg and Debbie and me safe in the woods…and for letting me be the ‘mean Indian on the rock’.” (Yes, he referred to God as "Father" - probably mimicking me or another adult he has heard offer a prayer!) Timothy recognized Who was really in charge… Who truly kept him safe. It didn’t diminish his love for us…he merely put it into perspective. What about you… do you have your priorities straight? Do you have the right perspective on your relationship with Jesus Christ – and others? Are you ready to shoulder your own cross… step out on your own… and truly follow Him? Isn’t it time you were?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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