Although we find it easy to be distracted by many voices in our world, it is crucial that we as Christians be focused on serving Jesus in intentional ways.
We are just past the midway point in our Lenten Journey being Disciples of Christ. Discipleship is a way if life. It means that we align ourselves with Jesus. We seek to follow his ways. We hunger to have a relationship with him.
Jesus is more than someone we read about in a book. We can read about famous people, we can appreciate their courage in the face of persecution and adversity. They may still be with us or have passed on but Jesus lives with us now. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He’s our eternal and living savior.
Jesus is in communion with us. He has promised to be with us always. Think about all of your closest relationships. To remain strong and grow the relationship, we need to stay connected with them. Relationships take work. They require time and attention.
We all know what it’s like to have a really good friend. Maybe it’s from a work associate, long time friend or family member. As time goes on the circumstances of life change and they move away. If not maintained, that once close and warm friendship slowly dwindles. The same dynamic is true in our relationship with Christ.
In times of challenge, in times of sorrow, in moments of great joy, we may remember the words of a hymn that comes to us and light our way. They express our innermost feelings. Those hymns inspire us to see through to another day. They kindle our hope and multiply our gratitude. That’s why we sing when we come together as a community. Singing hymns and spiritual songs enliven our love of Jesus.
Discipleship begins with love, love of Jesus. Nuture that love in your heart, dwell richly in his word, sing hymns and spiritual songs, and in all you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of our Lord Jesus.
