Step by step

Currently my emotions have been very jumbled up. I have made it a point to strive towards righteousness and I have fought many battles in that pursuit. Many lost, some won. Yet, I keep pressing forward because in my mind, there is no other option.

But a question came to mind this morning and I felt compelled to share it. A question that is haunting, but potentially liberating, depending on my future choices.

If I woke up and decided that I'm going to be more like Jesus today than any day I have lived thus far, what would my life look like?

This is not an uncommon question in Christian circles, but like a fleeting gust of wind, it is here, then here no longer.

But some new conviction strikes my heart today. A conviction that grows in my inner parts, reminding me of the urgency of the message I am to preach and the terror that awaits those who don't respond rightly to that message. And the account I will have to give for the way I lived my life....the things I said...things I did...things I thought.

I find myself becoming afraid, though I know perfect love drives out all fear. I am becoming afraid nonetheless. My heart is sinking into a sort of sorrow for the people all around me, that go about without the grace of God in their lives. And that question hits me harder with every waking moment...

And what am I doing about it?!?! Nothing...not yet anyways, but isn't that our response. "Not yet...God. Now is not the time."

But it is the time. It's time to love. It's time to preach the Gospel. It's time to live as though we were really taking steps closer towards heaven, where our Prize awaits us, that is Jesus.

Who around you would be affected if you lived a little more like Jesus today?
Who would find freedom through the message you've been called to preach?
Who would be changed forever if you looked past yourself and chose to imitate Christ?

Who?

The clock is a constant reminder that things don't go on forever for us. Things end in this life. Whether it be our lives or the lives of people around us, we all eventually close our eyes forever on this side of eternity.

With that being said, I pose my question again, but addressed to you:

If you woke up and decided that you're going to be more like Jesus today than any day you have lived thus far, what would your life look like?