We all respond with a variety of emotions to a variety of things. This year a couple of my favorite sports teams did not fare so well. I have responded with frustration and sadness. I live in Florida because of yes to a vocation and the one thing I miss living in Florida is seasons. We have two seasons in Florida; Hot and Not So Hot. We are moving into the latter this month and it makes me smile especially as I anticipate a trip to the North Carolina mountains soon where I will behold autumn colors and crisper temperatures.
North Carolina Mountains
In many ways life could be summed up in the responses we give to moments, opportunities and questions. Our response determines our direction in life. This is more profoundly true when we consider faith and a relationship with Almighty God. I have been in various settings spanning the breadth of Christian experience and practice. I have responded to and given Altar Calls. I have prayed for people and people have prayed for me. I have heard countless sermons on The Great Commission emphasizing; Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… This is good and we need to be motivated to this mission. I have heard fewer messages that point to the next part; …teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
The call that Christ Jesus places on his followers is to obey. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15) The Christian Life is living a life responding to God with a Yes. We are also to say No to certain things and behaviors as well. This is obedience.
In John 4 we find the amazing and intriguing story referred to often as Woman at the Well. In this encounter Jesus and this Samaritan woman have a conversation that leads her to faith and then she leads her whole village to faith as well. At the end of the story we find this exchange between Jesus and his disciples…
Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:31–34)
Did you ever have a good cinnamon roll? Hot out of the over, dripping with icing, you smell the cinnamon spice. There is one correct way to eat a cinnamon roll; you slowly unwind it working your way to the soft and maybe even gooey center. Are you salivating?
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