"Come, follow me, we're going to change lives." Not, 'Come, follow me, we’re going to be rich and famous, or popular, or liked.' Not even, 'Come, follow me, we're going to travel around Palestine for 3 years, and I'm going to say some amazing things, and teach you so much about who God is and who you are, and you'll see amazing miracles, and wonderful love, and then I'll be killed, and you'll go on, and then you'll be killed, and probably your families too.' When we follow Jesus, we are not promised greatness and success in how the world terms it. And we are not told exactly what will happen. It is a risk, to follow Jesus. But it is a risk not to. This is what Sam Leonor preached about at the first 'The Journey' talk (it was actually the second, but my flight was delayed the day before, so I missed the first). About risk vs. risk. I don't so often think about the risk of not doing something, but always the risk of doing something. I really struggle to meet and talk to new people, because the risk is, they won't like me and I'll be rejected and embarrassed and so on. But the risk of not meeting and talking to new people, is that I am left friendless, or that I am only friends with people like me, and don't see the world through different eyes, which is so important. Also, I LOVE being with people; I LOVE hearing other people's stories and finding out about them! I think exploring other people (that sounds strange; not in a strange way!) is one of the most exciting adventures we embark on in life! Maybe I should consider the risk of not doing it more, and move out of my comfort zone to know and love people wherever they are. One of the things Sam talked about was the risk of changing ideas or plans. Maintaining the status quo is far easier, and I always think of it as far less risky. But just as there is risk in changing, or starting something new - for the disciples, stopping their fishing and going with Jesus to become "fishers of people" - there is risk in staying the same; of something draining you, of something not fulfilling you, of missing out on something unknown, yet amazing! Jesus says, 'Come, follow me. It's going to be amazing!' Not safe, not always clear beforehand, but amazing. Are there any journeys Jesus might be calling you to embark on, but the risk of doing so scares you? What is the risk of not following? How does thinking about that change your thinking? This post was my thoughts and notes based on a talk given by Sam Leonor at 'The Journey' AYC 2017 European Youth Congress in Valencia, Spain.
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AuthorI'm a recent Cambridge Theology graduate now studying for a Masters in Biblical Studies and blogging about all sorts of things! I'm interested in faith, Church, theology, social action, the great outdoors and being creative, and all of those things - along with many more - come through in my posts!
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