Buckle Up

“¹²Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” — 2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV)

So you want to be a follower of Christ and live a life as an example of Him. Get ready, as it is not an easy road to be on. Paul notes above to Timothy that when one seeks God and to be an example of Him, the days are nothing if not filled with challenges.

I can speak to this personally that when we are living for God, we are misunderstood. I gone into situations where I am not shy about my faith in Christ and at those times I am cast aside as inflexible and not like the rest in that are there. To that, I can say I am glad it was found out early to save more persecution as I went forward.

I know that being a follower of Christ was never said to be along the easy road. Yet, it did take some time to realize it as I grew in my faith and understanding of the LORD through His Word. And where I am not one to take a lot of risk, thankfully there is really not a lot of risk in the LORD. There is uncertainty in the moment as we never really know the outcome of God’s plans for us, by following Him, the reward is already known and we only have to do His will to receive.

Buckle-up is where I land this morning in my thoughts of this passage. I know that being a follower of Christ is not easy, and therefor I have to be ready for whatever is placed in the path to work through for Christ. I have to be strapped in and ready for anything that may come my way. I may not know what that is, but I have to know that it may not be pleasant in the moment. I have to study and prepare for those challenges that are sure to be there. The Word of God gives me the straps to buckle with and the learning to get me through.

“¹⁶All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

What is your view of following Christ? Are you looking for all rainbows and sunshine? What if you went in knowing the path is going to be filled with challenges and you buckle-up for what is to come?