Jesus.

There is so much I could say right now. The infinite depth of  the wonder of God is being revealed to me more and more each day. When I stop to think of who He is and who I am because of Him, it's enough to bring me to my knees. It's the living in that constant reality that tends to be the hard part!

Following Jesus isn't easy. It's HARD. It's the hardest thing you'll ever do. But unlike the other hard things we burden ourselves with, His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Seem a bit contradictory? It isn't. The yoke of Jesus Christ is light because it is entirely unique from any other- we do not bear it on our own strength.

The beauty of Christianity isn't in the stained glass windows, the harmonious (or not so much) choir/band, or the comfy pews. The beauty of Christianity is the living, breathing, everyday relationship with Jesus Christ. But how often do we who call ourselves Christians trample all over that relationship? We rattle off things to Him for twenty minutes, stop for thirty seconds and when we don't hear from Him, we dare say He isn't speaking! We give our priority to countless other unworthy things while our relationship with Him falls to the wayside and we wonder why we aren't growing closer to Him? We would slap a "I Love Jesus" bumper sticker on our car or like any fan page on facebook for Him, but when it comes to actually engaging with people who desperately need Him and we have exactly what they need, we don't say a word? Who are we anyway? Are we Christians only in name, or in action and word? Is this the way you would treat your best friend? I don't know about you, but when I'm talking to my best friend I am not the only one talking, nor am I hesitant to being her up in a conversation with someone else. She is someone I spend time with, talk to daily, and am encouraged and challenged by. How much more so our relationship with the Lord!? I am talking to myself here. I struggle with this daily. My relationship with the Lord isn't just a part of my life, it is my life. It's why I live, why I love people, why I get up in the morning. I am nothing without Him. Literally, nothing! And it's evident when I haven't spent enough time with Him. I'm not perfect. Ha. Nowhere near. But He's making me more into His image. I desperately want every single person I encounter and those I haven't to enter into this relationship. It's more worth it than anything you will ever do. He'll make you into more than you ever expected to become. He'll take your mess and make it into a ministry....your test into a testimony...all those cliche phrases and such. I want you/them to know that He's REAL! And the Jesus that most people have in their head isn't Jesus at all. That name is the most trampled over, mis-represented, misunderstood name of all names. It's time to start showing the world who Jesus Christ really is- and it starts with you and me having a revelation and falling in love with the person of Jesus Christ. That's what Christian means isn't it? Little Christ?

Remember that we can't do it on our own. Simple, but cannot be over-stated because it is so easily forgotten. Of course we can't do it on our own strength! We're fallen, sinful men and woman. Imagine God taking a housefly and telling it to be an eagle. It just doesn't work that way. But salvation is transformation. Renewal. He takes our heart of stone and gives us a heart of flesh. Then begins the construction- it's a messy but beautiful process.  Construction hurts- but the outcome is always worth the pain and hardship along the way, and once the bigger picture is revealed you understand why it had to happen in that fashion.

So I challenge myself and you- whoever you are, my dad, my best friend, and whoever else may happen to read this- deepen the relationship and step out into all He has called you to be. Spend TIME with Him! Talk to Him, hear His heart, let Him speak to you through His word. Sure it's simple. But isn't it so neglected in christianity today? Don't think you can do it on your own. Also, I would challenge you to read through the Gospels slowly and really take a look at what Jesus says. Take it seriously. Throw out every preconceived notion you may have and look on it with fresh eyes. You just might be surprised.