Follow Me

Those who follow my blog regularly know that I often dream. I dream abut God's kingdom, His return, and His love for me. Sometimes God uses my dreams to convict and discipline me. I wanted to share this recent dream because it humbled and challenged me. Hopefully, it will do the same for my readers.

Jesus was standing next to me. He was wearing a white robe. He said,"I think I told you to follow me," The tone of His voice implied that I wasn't fully giving myself over to His will. The tone also suggested I hadn't fully comprehended what "following Him" fully meant.

In the dream, I replied with a little bit of disgust and irritation. I said, "Well, maybe I am the seed that fell on the rocky places or was choked by the thorns." (Reference Matthew 13:1-23)

When I made this statement, I was condescending. It felt like I was blaming Jesus for placing me on soil that wasn't good and nurturing.

Obviously when I woke up, I felt convicted to the heart. I know most of my dreams reveal God's affection for me. But, to avoid deception, I must share those dreams that reveal my weakness, failure, and humanity.

After having this dream, I decided to read all the scriptures where Jesus said, "Follow me!" A majority of these scriptures are dovetailed with dying for the faith or forsaking the world. I know God is calling me to a deeper commitment of abandonment. I know He is asking me to give up idols, pleasures, and worldly desires. He is asking me to do this without expecting a reward.

But, deeper than that He is calling me to live set apart. He is calling me to the wilderness. But, now to the complaint in the dream. Why did I respond in disgust to His calling?

This is the complaint: I am resentful that I live in America. I consider America to be rocky soil and covered in thorns. I have been reared in a culture that sells pleasure and instant gratification. This culture craves comfort and money. I find it almost impossible to live the TRUE Christian life in this society. 

There are too many temptations and excuses to live wickedly in America. I want to live in Israel where suicide bombers threaten my existence...then I might repent more. I want to live in China where people die for their faith....maybe then I wouldn't misplace my Bible all the time. I want to live on the streets of Haiti...maybe then I would accept that material possessions are ash and fleeting.

God gave me this dream for a very specific purpose, and I hope my readers will gain from it.

Don't blame your culture for your convenience addicted spirit. Don't live as an American when you can live as a Nazerite. I must stop blaming America for tempting me on the TV or the radio. I must live set apart even in the midst of a pleasure seeking culture. I must commit to living as light in a dark world. I must die to the lust for wealth and convenience. 

When I face Jesus at the white throne judgement, this excuse won't fly:"Well God, You did place me in America. What did you expect to happen?? Of course I will live for myself in a selfish drenched society. It isn't my fault."

Jesus won't accept that excuse. He will say, "I asked you to follow Me, and that is exactly what I expected you to do!"

So this is a great revelation, but I have no idea how to live it out. Anyone in the blogosphere want to chime in about how to practically live  this out?