Just Because.

The last couple of days have been full of internal reflection...

On Sunday morning, I was challenged and compelled to evaluate my desire to follow Christ, seeing if it is full of a genuine passion or if it is something of predestine belief, because this is how it has always been.

Does my understanding of the freedom of the Gospel lead me to the freedom to follow Christ?

Many times I find myself explaining why I choose or rather not choose certain behaviors, beliefs, expectations, etc over others.  My answer is usually a matter of right from wrong, how I believe I should be carrying myself in a given way. 

But it is more than that --

Having a religion and having a relationship are two different concepts:  Religion is tradition, because that is what establishes good and bad, because that is what you are suppose to do.  Having a relationship, with God Almighty Himself, is about making the determination to let go of everything and deliberately commit it all to Him --  I get to follow Him, because of His sacrifice, because of His unconditional love.

It should not be a matter of "because that's just the way it is…", it should be a matter of holding myself to His standards that He has set before me so that I am able to pursue His will for my life and serve Him accordingly, for His glory. 

Making God my reason for purpose allows me to experience His perfect favor and blessing -- a reflection of His never-ending grace and mercy, no doubt.  And once I have been filled with His Spirit, I have the opportunity to share it with others, to be His witness to those who are lost, without hope.

This concept is nothing new, it just finally clicked; it became real to me.  Being a child of God is a privilege, and I should be a living, breathing sacrifice for His name's sake…

Because I get to.   

"He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it."

-Matthew 10:39