The strength and happiness of a man consists in finding out the way in which God is going, and going that way too.
~ Henry Ward Beecher ~
"Anyone who wants to be My disciple must follow Me" (John 12:26.
When we were young, our parents warned us about keeping bad company. It seemed that "bad company" was found all over and was ready and waiting to pounce on unwary and innocent young people. The company you keep will affect you and eventually cast you in a certain mold.
On the night before the crucifixion, Jesus made it very clear to His disciples: To be Jesus' follower was not a walk in the park. Following Him was not a career leading to riches, fame, and power. It meant going where He went; serving as He served. It meant being ready to die at any moment. Some of those listening to Him did die for Him. For most of His disciples, it meant lifelong service to others; to help them and to care for them - to glorify Christ. Following Jesus means obediently accepting any path He shows you. For many it meant an untimely death. For others, a long and tiring period of hard work. For many it might mean performing your daily tasks with humility, selfless loyalty and love.
For every Christian disciple, being a "follower of Jesus" means battling side by side with Him through toil and hardship; suffering and sacrifice; drudgery and effort. At times it will be exciting, but more often than not it will be a matter of patiently tolerating repetitiveness, but it will be done in love and with Jesus Christ. Discipleship has its own rewards and the greatest of these is simply being a Christ follower.
My greatest joy in life, Lord Jesus, is being Your humble disciple. Amen.
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