John 6

This scripture has been on my mind a lot lately. Why? I do not know. I have not gotten anything theologically from it that I didn’t already understand. More than anything it just blows my mind. If you fast forward to the verse 25 in the chapter Jesus begins to teach. He teaches all the way up to verse 60. This is what catches my attention. Verse 60; “On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “this is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”  Jesus then asks if this was offensive to them… crazy right…Jesus offend someone….?… Okay, continue to fast forward to verse 66. It says, “from this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”

So to me this is a HUGE WOW! These people were called disciples of Christ, had been following him for who knows how long. Then there came this point…..

….They decided that it was now too hard to follow Christ….

When we are following God, things will get tough

We will be called to do things that are further outside of our comfort zone

He will lead you down roads you never thought you would go, or wanted to go

He will call us to become more disciplined

Call us to lead when we don’t want to

Just because you follow God does not lead to the promise of a wealthy/healthy life

One other thought here…

It is scary to think that people can “follow” Christ so long and be his “disciples” without actually following him and without actually being a disciple. This makes me re-examine myself. I hope I’m not just getting caught up living the “christian” life ? I hope I’m not just following God to a certain point until it gets too hard..?

crazy to think that people can be called disciple, and get to a point where they can no longer follow God.

But it is also scary to look at all of Christ teachings…..they are tough….like real tough.

Comfortable

So, it has been a while…A long long while. I am going to try and keep up with this blog, mainly just because it helps me to process my thoughts.

So here is what has been on my mind today.

I went to the gym today, and I like to shoot the basketball a bit before I work out, to get warm and just because I enjoy it.

But as I was dribbling and shooting I began to just feel free, comfortable, everything about basketball comes natural to me (I am not the best by any means). I began to think, “Why can’t I feel like this in every area of my life?” Why is that that I can see things and move places on the court with ease, I can tell someone where they need to be to make a play, I can fix someones shot, and it is so easy. I am in charge and confident when it comes to something silly like basketball.

Why can I (Maybe you too) be so confident in one area and not another. Why isn’t every area of my life like basketball, in other areas I become fearful of failure, what others will think, etc….

Here are some reasons why I feel like I am more confident/comfortable on basketball court compared to others

1. I know the rules

Don’t you agree you do better when you know what you can and cannot do. When you understand boundaries.

2. I’ve had years of practice.

I have been playing ball for years I would say about 15 -17 years. It takes a long time to get good at something. I always want to be good now, it is hard for me to see into the future and see where practice at things could pay off. Also, I can be confident that  I have a lot of room for growth, and knowing that it takes a while to be good at something…and knowing is half the battle….Anyways, when you understand that you aren’t going to become great over night you and understand that you are going to fail and lose along the way, you don’t feel so much like a failure.

3. I’ve been coached

From my Dad to boys club to junior high to high school. That is a long time to be coached. Coaches can help you hone your skills and help you stay disciplined. Coaches encourage, break you down, and build you up.  We should have coaches in the areas of life that we want to get good at. (I need to take my own advice here)

4. I understand where to be and where others should be

This is much like knowing the rules. When you have been doing something so long you know where to be and where others should be. This in turn makes you a better leader on the court understanding everyone’s job. Just think about a job, sport, team, whatever the case may be where you only had a vague understanding of your job and didn’t really know what other people where doing. Chances are that team didn’t operate or you didn’t operate to your potential because of some in decision or confusion. When you know what you are supposed to be doing you can move full speed through it.

5. Dont know how to put this last one so ill just call it …..Pasison

When you know the rules, understand your role, others role, have been coached, and have experience you can do something will guided passion. When you are doing something with passion you dont have time to stop and worry about whether or not you are confident, you dont have time to wonder what someone else thinks.

So I am sure there are a hundred more points I could come up with but there are 5.  Maybe you can’t use these at all. But think of an area in your life that you just own. You step up to the plate and you dominate. Examine why you are so confident/ comfortable in that domain.

P.S. If I’ve been listening to a lot of Brand New lately …so check them out!!