To a degree, everyone conscious and capable, is on a journey. Working out how life should be, experiencing various issues from day to day, coming across matters big and small and being shaped by their response to what they come across.
Committing to the journey of following Jesus requires a distinct turn in our journey. Encountering Jesus highlights that whatever journey we were on previously was only ever leading to a disastrous ending. Encountering Jesus not only shines a light on a dark ending but contrasts that with a brighter outcome, even through storms and challenges, by walking with Him. By following His path we are not ensured a smooth and easy ride at all, but we are assured wonderful company leading to a glorious outcome.
It does require a turn, though. A turn from what we were doing to what He is doing. A turn from the path we want to set for ourselves to the path whose steps are put down by one who knows the way of real life. That turn necessitates a change of mind and a change of heart. It’s no small thing being called for and even after that turn is made there’s always the temptation to turn back.
It says something significant, however, when you make the turn and stick to it. Stick to it to such an extent that you’re eager for others to make the turn as well. There’s a fascinating part of what Paul says in making his case to King Agrippa and his wife, Bernice in the book of Acts.
Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?” Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:28-29 NLT)
Paul’s account was one of a man heading in a direction that he thought was right only to have an encounter with the One he was persecuting and experience the turn. Though his life was marked with contention, obstructions, resistance and persecution, he was totally committed to the turn because of the ongoing encounters with Jesus.
It’s not too much to ask for those who have experienced the turn to be so convinced by the journey they’re now on that they’re keen for others to join them. When I started the journey, however, I wasn’t that keen to share it. Indeed I didn’t share it at all other than nominal things mentioned about not doing this or saying that ‘because I’m a Christian’. For those initial years it was like I was more a part of a secret club than I’d made a drastic life change in following Jesus. But that was probably the issue, I hadn’t really made the turn to follow Jesus, I’d merely signed up to be a part of a Christian club that I’d been attending because my parents attended.
The turn clearly took place a bit later in my story with Jesus. What was clear after that turn took place wasn’t necessarily a rabid devotion of hassling everyone I knew to make the turn. It was however, a tendency to be eager to make the most of any opportunity of engaging with others about the turn. I wasn’t forcing it on people, but over time and with encouragement from others eager to share the good news, I got more conscious of sniffing out what was clearly a chance for a gospel connection. What I witnessed in the lives of some around me and then experienced myself was that whatever you’re full of will come out when pressed.
If you’re not full of the power of the turn and the awesome wonder of the one who convinced you to turn it was no surprise that this glorious news wasn’t likely to flow from your lips given the chance. It was no surprise that something far more mundane, trivial and largely unhelpful would come out going along with gossip or obsessing over sport or technology or moaning about whatever the news and media cycle pumped into the mainstream.
I’ve made one or two decent decisions in my life, but none can match that decision to turn. It’s not a one off decision either because every day there’s a call to turn. Due to the majesty, beauty and splendour of the King who calls for the turn, though, that decision becomes more and more enriching and is a reason to keep sensing those opportunities to invite others to turn.
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
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