Jesus calls us to love,
Not to hate, resent, detest or to show hostility;
But to seek the best in the people we encounter.
We follow Jesus when we are devoted to each other.
Jesus calls us to sacrifice,
Not to hoard, grab, stockpile or to embrace selfishness;
But to let go of the very things we prize the most.
We follow Jesus when we are generous to each other.
Jesus calls us to forgive,
Not to hold grudges, to feed spite, to resent, or to seek retaliation;
But to bury the hatchet and letting it go.
We follow Jesus when we cancel the (spiritual) debt.
Jesus calls us to compassion,
Not to be calloused, coldhearted, uncaring or heartless;
But to feel the plight of those who endure the sting of living.
We follow Jesus when we suffer with others.
Jesus calls us to speak,
Not to shout, scream, bellow or yell in demeaning ways;
But to talk in calmness as a non-anxious person.
We follow Jesus when we refuse to keep silent.
Jesus calls us to truth,
Not to lie, fudge, manipulate, or distort reality;
But to line our words and life to the Plumb-line.
We follow Jesus when we embrace integrity.
Jesus calls us to faith,
Not to anxiety, fear, worry, and dread;
But to reach out to Jesus as he reaches out to us.
We follow Jesus when it’s so sweet to trust in him.
Jesus calls us to listen to him,
Not to society, to those voices who drown him out;
But to filter the white noise to hear him clearly.
We follow Jesus when it’s his voice we hear with precision.
Jesus calls us to hope,
Not to despair, despondency, dejection or to lose heart;
But to courageous expectation even in the midst of loss.
We follow Jesus when we anticipate God’s presence.
Jesus calls us to follow him,
Not to dictate the direction or to complain about the trail;
But to walk by faith and not by sight.
We follow Jesus when we stay on the path with him.
Jesus calls us to unity,
Not to divide and split, or pursue dissonance and partitions;
But to passionately seek what we hold in koinonia (i.e. common).|
We follow Jesus when we forgo partisan for oneness.
Jesus calls us to die,
Not to fight, demand, insist and require our own rights;
But willingly relinquish our privileges and claim to life.
We follow Jesus when we pick up our cross to shadow him.
Jesus calls us,
Not in anger, disappointment, frustration or with regret;
But in soft, gentle and loving tones.
We follow Jesus when we answer his call.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)