There was a question that was asked in the church a lot when I was growing up that I haven’t heard in some time. A question that would drive conviction straight to the heart. Though some people took it at unnecessary pressure, it really didn’t have to be that way.
As I think about the question now, I find myself feeling warm to it. What once terrified me is now a well received thought. I guess as my relationship grows with Jesus, it has now become something I yearn for rather than panic about. Something I would love to happen, rather than fear.
The question is this:
If Jesus were to physically show up in your life today, what would you do?
This spurs on a bunch of other questions. Would you do anything differently? Who would you try to be? What would you want to be found doing?
The conviction comes when we take a good look into our lives and see a lot of the selfish human things we live for. Are there things you’d feel you should get rid of or stop doing? Are there parts about yourself that you’d want to instantly change? Would you stop certain relationships or physical habits?
If you saw Him face-to-face, would you doubt that it is Him or do you think you’d feel the Spirit stirring within you confirming His presence? Would you feel fear? Or would you feel freedom and great joy?
This question offers a glance at where you are in your relationship with Jesus. It gives a window into how you see yourself with Him, and how you think He sees you. It’s like a spiritual thermometer. We always need to and can draw closer with Christ. There will always be areas and things we need to improve on. But, as you grow closer with Jesus, the more this question won’t scare you. The more it’ll make you yearn for the day He either does appear or calls you Home.
Jesus loves you with a pure and holistic love. Nothing can taint it or take it away. In reality, though you cannot physically see Him at this moment, He is here with you. He is omnipresent, which means He is in all places at once.
If you have a relationship with Jesus, you have the living God dwelling inside of you. The perfect, infinite, all-powerful, holy, mighty God in your very being. He’s working Himself out in you to bring you closer to the completion He desires for you. Though you may not feel it as your body breaks down, your spirit is being strengthened. Your aging physically, yet growing spiritually.
Do you want to get to the point that the question about Jesus’ appearance doesn’t scare you? Do you want to get to the place where you don’t live in fear of where you stand with Him? First of all, choose Jesus. If you haven’t already, start a relationship with Him today. It’ll be the best decision you will ever make! Then, practice.
Practice? Yes, practice.
“Rather, train yourself in godliness. For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. For this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:7-10
We are to labour and strive in only one area of life: Jesus Christ and the message of the gospel. We are to work at our relationship with Jesus because that offers eternal value. Working out our bodies is good to keep them healthy. But working out our spirit will have far greater impact.
How do we work out our spirits? By practicing what we learn. If we’re drawing close to Jesus, soaking in His Word every day, and giving room for Holy Spirit to speak to us, then we can practice what we’re learning in order to grow ourselves and teach others.
“Command and teach these things.Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.” – 1 Timothy 4:7-16 (bold and underline added)
Turn around, take what you learn, and impart it to others. Teach what the Lord is teaching you. The more you immerse yourself in the Lord, and the more you practice, the more you’ll grow and likewise guide others to Jesus.
“Pay close attention to your life and your teaching”. If you are going deep with the Lord, you will be excited of the thought of Jesus being with you. You’ll tap into what Holy Spirit is trying to tell and teach you. You’ll understand that the Lord is always with you, even if not physically. Then you can count it pure joy when you do see Him face-to-face. How amazing and completely awesome that day will be. Until then, you’ve got work to do.
