By John Grant
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24
The newspaper referred to it as “home field disadvantage” recently when a pop fly hit a catwalk high above the infield under the roof of the domed baseball stadium. In baseball they call that kind of hit a towering pop-up.
Instead of being an easy out, the hit became a ninth inning two out single that scored the go-ahead run, took the steam out of a home team six-run rally and ultimately cost them the game. A game was lost because the catwalk got in the way.
In the game of life, what is your catwalk? What are the things that get in the way between you and God? We all have them and often stumble over them. Looking to scripture, we find many obstacles, but the point is not to identify the obstacles as much as it is to identify the way through, over and around them ……….and that way is Jesus.
Jesus said He was the “truth and the light.” He is the mediator between God and us. As He recruited His disciples, He said simply, “follow me,” and He continues to say that to us today. To do so, we have to take up His cross and follow Him. If we do, there is no object anywhere that can block us from the love and presence of God in our lives.
Jesus’ first commandment was to love the your our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. If your heart is loyal to God, you do not have to look for Him. He is already looking for you!
Life’s challenges sometimes seem impossible. Do you feel you are too weak to fight the battle? Don’t give up! Keep your heart loyal to God, for He constantly watches over you, and He desires to demonstrate His strength in your life.
God is willing and just as capable of giving you victory in your current challenge as He was with those in times past. The question is not whether God is looking for His people, but whether His people are seeking Him. Take comfort in God’s promise that He watches over you and He wants to give you victory. Though roadblocks may alter your journey, remain steadfast in your Jesus journey and you will reach your destination.
In this conventicized, homogenized, fast lane world we live in, it is easy for “catwalks” to get in our way and block us from the love of God, but Jesus said to seek Him first and all else will take care of itself. We can have faith, but faith without direction is of little value. What is the direction of your faith? What or who do you trust to take you through life’s uncertainties? If it is anyone or anything other than Jesus, you have a “catwalk” in your way.
(a thought on life from John Grant )
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughtsaboutgod.com/blog/2010/08/30/jg_catwalk/
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