A couple of evenings ago my wife and I were sitting on a bench along the levy of the Great Miami River in Troy, Ohio. Â It was a pretty evening that afforded us a beautiful view.
A couple of minutes into our river view experience, a couple of young men dressed professionally in black pants, white shirts and ties rolled up behind us on the bike path.
One of them asked if he could give us a card and my wife said, “sure.” Â He then told us he and his partner were missionaries from The Church of the Latter Day Saints. Â They went on to tell us they were Mormons.
To some people, that would have caused an abrupt stop to the conversation. Lori and I, on the other hand, are pretty open to everyone. On top of that, several years ago we had neighbors who were Mormon and they were the nicest people you’d ever want to meet. I can’t speak for Lori, but I try my best to reserve any judgment about others’ practice of religion especially if it includes the love of Jesus.
The same guy asked if we believed in God and we both said, “yes.” Â He followed that question with a question about Jesus, and if our lives were different because of Jesus, and if so, how. Â I kind of chuckled and thought to myself, “I once was a full time narcissistic a$$ and now I’m not.” Â Luckily, I had my filter on and Lori and I both shared we had some pretty big struggles (caused by my actions) many years ago and we credited our faith in Jesus for helping us get through.
I know I have a lot of Jesus followers who read my blog. How many of you have taken the time to compare your “with-Jesus” lives to your “without-Jesus” lives? It’s a great exercise for measuring your “walk with Jesus,” progress. Â Personally, if my walk with Jesus isn’t improving, then I am backsliding.
My recent morning devotion was focused on obedience. God doesn’t ask us for much but he does want us to live a life which is representative of our love, honor and obedience for him.
Personally, my walk with Jesus gives me the best chance to live a life that is loving, honorable and obedient in the eyes of my Father.
…kind of like two guys riding their bikes in 80 degree heat wearing black pants, white shirts, ties and helmets spreading the good news…I pray for their success.
1 Samuel 16:7, But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
