When you study the letters that Paul wrote to churches, you notice a common theme. Paul would tell followers of Jesus, “Hey, pay attention!” Often, early believers would be fervent in their faith for Christ, but over time their faith would wane. Day-to-day life would become a distraction. False prophets would speak of anything but the disciplined life that God is expecting from His children, and believers would tune into what they had to say instead. So when Paul would help believers to keep their focus on Christ, they would think his words were foolish. They didn’t want to hear the truth; read through 2 Corinthians.
Paul understood this weakness every person has when it comes to believing and following Jesus. Faith takes a lot of work. It begins in your heart where God nudges you towards His Son. He opens your mind and heart to receive the most wonderful gift ever given to man. When you receive Jesus, the Holy God, in form of the Holy Spirit, comes to reside within you. From that moment on, you are never alone. God walks with you, talks with you, and transforms you as He prepares you for your eternal home.
This is why it is vital to “Hey, pay attention!” If God is always with you, should you not pay attention to Him with every breath you take? Should you not keep God in the forefront of your mind? Should God not be the reason for every move you make? Should your sight and hearing be in tune to God? Should your life reflect God in such a way where He receives the glory instead of you?
Paul learned this obedient lifestyle rather well. One day he was a fervent follower of religion. He hated Jesus and His followers. You could say he was disgusted by them; read Acts 9. Then, Jesus nudged his heart. After being blinded for three days, God regained his sight and Paul was changed forevermore. Jesus and Paul must have had some conversations in those three days. His heart became Christ’s from that moment on. He was willing to do anything to get those who were religious as well as those who ignored Jesus, to whole-heartedly follow the Son of God.
What kind of conversations have you had with Jesus? Are they ones that have caused you to follow Him more and more and more? God desires to talk to you. Will you give Him your time? Will you seek Him like Paul did?
How will you respond when Jesus says, “Hey, pay attention!”?
(Note: I am planning on taking next week off. Heading south to help my daughter move to a new place.)
Carol J German 