8:30am came quickly as I woke up and couldn’t remember what day it was. I was so confused that I actually looked at my phones calendar to see what day it was. Needless to say, I hit the snooze button a couple more times and finally began my morning routine. This routine consists of quickly running to turn off the freezing air conditioner (I like my room cold when I sleep), quickly jumping in the shower, and on days I feel like it, I do my hair. As I continue my routine I put away my computer that’s left on my dresser because I listen to music to fall asleep; and then I wrap up my cord, get my book bag and begin to head out. Of course, I can’t leave until I rapidly look for my keys since I usually forget where I put them the night before. Once I have my wallet, book bag, phone, and keys, I know I’m ready to head out the door for a day full of surprises, busyness and people.
On Thursday morning I met up with a man who was in need of help. His stepson has been in and out of jail, and recently got arrested again for involvement in a drug deal. Because of his untimely arrest, his apartment was left a mess and someone had to clean it up and move his stuff out.
I didn’t know what I was walking into but after walking up three flights of steps in the hill district of Pittsburgh, I knew I was in for an experience. The room was a complete mess. Fortunately there weren’t drugs all over the place, but clothes, papers, and random hygiene products filled the small 10×12 room. While picking up this man’s clothes, a man I had never met before, there we some thoughts that crossed my mind.
I am a sinner. Like Paul in 1 Timothy 1:16, I claim to be “…the worst of sinners.” And yet, here is a man, who made one decision, which by the world’s standards sent him to a place of shame and judgment. What makes me different than this man? I deserve the same punishment or worse! But because of the Lord’s grace for my life, I have a freedom that this man does not. I do not claim to be lucky. I may claim to be blessed. But most of all I am thankful for the grace of Jesus Christ in my life. I am thankful that some of those decisions I could have made a long time ago in High School went a different way. I am thankful that the Lord intervened and said, “Enough! You are Mine, now leave your life of sin, repent, and live for me!” And I have never been the same since.
Wednesday at Renew, we talked about Peter’s steps he took when he got out of the boat on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14). We all take different steps and make different decisions each day. Some are “good” and others “bad.” Of course, in order to know good from bad you have to have a standard for such things. My standard is the Lord’s, and I’ll be honest, I have a long way to go. I heard an analogy in a book last year of a football field/game. Our ultimate goal is Heaven/The Endzone. Some of us are stuck on the opposing teams two-yard line. Others are nearing the 50 yard line. Some days we get sacked ten yards behind the line of scrimmage. Some days we throw a pass to Mike Wallace 30 yards down the field. And some days we are lucky to run the ball two yards. (At least we can all say we’re on the Steelers team since they are obviously God’s chosen team [Please know, this is a joke.])
The point is this: Each new day is different. Jesus says to the adulteress woman, “Go and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11). So we are called to leave our life of sin. “But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1) And “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). But we have to make steps forward. Some of us take big steps, some little steps, but the only way towards Jesus is forward.
We can’t be afraid to move. We must deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him (Mark 8:34). It doesn’t mean it will be easy. It doesn’t mean that everything has to be perfect right away in order to follow Him. The disciples were less than perfect when Jesus called them and He knew they had a long way to go. But He called them right where they were in their lives. His simple request was “follow me.” Life will be tough and it will challenge you, but we must keep moving forward knowing that our hope, faith, and trust are in Jesus Christ, who gives grace and peace to all who would devote themselves to Him.
No matter where we are…let’s follow Him right now and take one step at a time as we leave our life of sin for the glory and grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
To see a video of the Sea of Galilee in HD, click the picture or click here.
