I never get tired of this

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I flat out love the beach. Looking out the window at the ocean right now, I honestly believe that I would never get tired of this. I'm sure that there are plenty of beach locals who would willingly share how average the beach experience is to them, but as one who only comes once or twice a year I just can't see it.

In all of my years of ministry experience I have watched people, especially young people, fall in love with Jesus for the first time. The excitement in their eyes and voices, the passion in their words, the enthusiasm to "take Jesus back home with them" (as if He could fit in their suitcases) are all really cool to witness. I've been there before as well, feeling as if "Jesus and me" were going to change the world one pagan at a time.

Then the bottom drops out. Suddenly, your experience with Christ becomes average at best until your next "spiritual vacation" takes place. You see other people excited about their faith and you think, "They'll get over it eventually and come back to reality." But why does it have to be that way?

I have an emotional response when I come to the beach and it lasts for awhile. When I come home the thrill of the vacation wears off over time until my next vacation is close at hand and I begin to feel the heebie-jeebies all over again. We do the same with Jesus, don't we? Even if we were to move to the beach we would find ourselves complacent if we saw the coast as just an average place to live.

Jesus is never just average. "Casual Christian" is an oxymoron that doesn't make sense in the mind of God. Following after Christ is a choice that you have to make. The feelings will wear off before long so it's up to you and me to intentionally love Jesus with every fiber of our being. I hope I never get tired of Jesus.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Amen, Amen and Amen! I pray we never grow tired of Jesus.
8:43 PM
Anonymous said…
I've got a Piper quote from earlier today for you: "Worship services across the land bear the scars of this process. For Christianity has become the grinding out of general doctrinal laws collections of biblical facts. But childlike wonder and awe have died. The scenery and poetry and music of the majest of God have dried up like a forgotten peach at the back of the refrigerator."
10:55 PM
Sterling Griggs said…
Allen, that is an awesome quote. Thanks for sharing and I hope your ministry at Kure is blessed.
9:50 AM
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