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'Burden

Telling people that they’ll get an easy life with Jesus might be a good way to get people to sign up: “Jesus will solve all your problems and give you a life full of happiness. You'll have over-flowing wealth. You'll have divinely-blessed health.

But it’s a terrible way to make followers of Jesus.

It’s a lie. It doesn’t hold up in the crucible of life. 

A World Full of Trouble

The truth is, that we live in a world full of trouble—and more so for Christians. As Jesus warns his disciples:

‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. (John 15:20-21)

Or again.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Following Jesus is going to be difficult. The Bible teaches it. So does experience.

So how do we face those difficult days?

Step 1—Be Honest

The struggle is real. It’s no use pretending otherwise—though it’s a game many Christians are pretty good at playing. You will never fight this fight if you pretend it isn’t happening.

Take Paul as your example as he speaks about his internal struggle:

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. … Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. (Romans 7:18–25)

Can you identify with that? Of course you can! We all can. But will you admit it?

See how Paul, even in his struggle, quickly casts his eyes around to see who will deliver him from this great battle—his answer? God! God is his deliverer through Jesus Christ. That’s why Romans 8 starts like it does. In Christ, all condemnation is cancelled. We are freed from the law of sin and death by the Spirit of life!

Although the battle is real, the victory is secure. This leads us into our next step…

Step 2—Be Certain

Do you remember the time when the disciples became discouraged and many walked away from Jesus because of his teaching?

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:66–69)

Jesus had just delivered some incredibly challenging teaching—the implications of which seemed enormous—and many of those who had previously followed Jesus were saying “this is too much for me, it’s too hard, I’m out of here!”

So Jesus turned to his closest friends and asked whether they would be leaving too. But Peter’s response is clear: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Peter had settled in his heart what was the truth. He didn’t try and enter into the debate of the teaching, or justify how Jesus could have said those things, we don’t even know if Peter understood all that Jesus was really saying. But what we do know, is that Peter looked at Jesus, and said, “I trust you.” Basically, Peter says, “I’m not going anywhere Jesus. I may not understand you. I may not be able to see where you’re leading me. But I trust you. You are where life comes from, and that’s enough for me.”

So settle it today—tell Jesus right now, “I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere else.”

Or, as the Apostle Paul said as he reflected on the good news of the gospel—even as he was under attack: “But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” (2 Timothy 1:12) 

So, Be Honest—you are are great sinner. 

But Be Certain—you have an even greater Saviour. 

And finally…

Step 3—Be Focused

What was it that Paul was so certain about? Well, in these verses, it is two great truths:

  1. He knew who his trust was in. Just like Peter had, Paul now looked at Jesus as said, “I know who you are, and I’m not going anywhere!”
  2. But he also knew that Jesus was trustworthy to finish what he had started. See that? “I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”

Paul knew that Jesus was completely trustworthy, supremely capable, immensely powerful, and absolutely committed to Paul’s success as a disciple. And Paul also knew that his story wasn’t over. Despite the setbacks, the trip-ups, the battles, the struggles—Jesus would be at work: and once Jesus set out to accomplish his work, nothing—not even death or the devil—could stand in his way.

So remember who you are. You are Christ’s bride, his church. When he said to Peter: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18), he was shouting—in the face of everything that would stand against you and us—“I will build you up, and hell itself will not succeed in tearing you away from me.”

The end of your discipleship journey has already been secured, and there is no safer hands to be in than in the pierced hands of your Saviour. So lift up your eyes, even in the midst of your struggle, especially in the midst of your struggle, and focus on that Day. The day when Jesus welcomes you home, a bride ready to meet his groom.

Can you imagine it? Can you picture it in your head?

Maybe you can’t. Maybe the struggle seems too great at the moment, the distance seems too far. If that is you, then stop and hear what God is saying to you through Paul:

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ … And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:3–11)

Jesus will finish what he started.

Just Keep Swimming

In the words of a forgetful blue fish, “Just keep swimming.”

As a follower of Jesus, there will be difficult days. Even if you haven’t experienced them yet, they will come. So what will you do?

  1. Be Honest—The struggle is real. You are a sinner.
  2. Be Certain—Take courage. You have a great Saviour.
  3. Be Focused—Lift your eyes to the finish line. You are an incomplete story, and God has not finished with you yet.

Photos: Martin Leonhardt, Babak Fakhamzadeh (head); flickr

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