Job 13: 15; John 4:24; Isaiah 55:8-9
As much as we wish, life is not a bed of roses. The journey of life is characterized by phases; sometimes pain, suffering, challenges, difficulties, trials, hardship, failure, etc.; other times joy, peace, promotion, success, celebrations. So life comes in seasons of highs and lows, good or bad, and no one is exempted.
Try as we may, it is impossible to control or influence the seasons of life – we cannot pick and choose the types of seasons or phases to go through; neither could we influence the timing. The Bible says that time and chance happens to them all (Eccl 9:11). Knowing that even Christians are not exempted from the troubles of life, what kind of attitude should we have in bad times?
We must guard against fair weather Christianity – that is the willingness to follow, worship, and serve God only in good times. God is looking for true worshippers who will continue to serve/worship Him in good or bad times, pain or pleasure, joy or sorrow, rain or shine, etc. There comes a time (in our walk with God) we must make a resolution to follow Jesus come hell or high water!
Such a resolution is deeply seated in a place of trust, secured in our relationship with Him. A preacher once said in literal terms that sometimes God will do things that break your heart! Not because He is a wicked God, but rather has bigger plans, which we may not understand in the time being. Another preacher once insinuated that our loyalty to follow, worship, or serve God should not be impacted by the challenges of a bad time that has come our way; just like a faithful or loyal member of a soccer team, we’ve got to keep on playing even if we are hurt.
It’s all about trusting God. We will not always have answers to our questions, or be able to understand all that God does with our lives here on earth; but God can help us become resolute and stick with Him come what may…good or bad, rain or shine, joy or pain. The patriarchs of old did not have it any easier than we do now. So for a true worshipper, it is not a fair weather Christianity – You just got to be resolved never to quit!
This type of resolution conveys the true meaning of the song below:
- I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back. - The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back. - Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back. - My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back. - Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.