Why adventuring with Jesus isn't Instagrammable...Joanna Callender - 24 Nov 2015

Adventuring with Jesus. It sounds so idyllic. As if it means climbing big mountains with worship music in your ears; or white water rafting while praying at the same time. Or (and I’ve actually done this one), going to a new coffee shop across town to read the Bible with a skinny flat white.

But just as I start to fool myself; that adventuring with Jesus is a cool, edgy phrase to apply to life’s moments, I remember some words He said.

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?”

Matthew 16:24-26

This Jesus we follow is asking us to deny ourselves; challenging us to be prepared to lose our lives; to be prepared to be uncomfortable because of our faith and to sacrifice what we really want for what we believe in. 

These words are a massive challenge. But they can also be a huge encouragement. 

Adventuring with Jesus isn’t always supposed to be cool, exciting or instagrammable. Jesus actually told us it was going to be tough. For many Christians all over the world that is literally being prepared to lose their life. For many others it means a different sort of sacrifice; having friends who make fun of your faith; tithing to your Church; choosing to date people who share your beliefs.

For me, it means landing in a new town I haven’t chosen; starting to seek God’s kingdom in a place that’s a bit new and scary to me. I’m definitely where God wants, but it still feels uncomfortable and lonely. It’s not edgy, cool or Facebook-worthy. But it is real. 

Jesus challenges each of us to live differently for Him; to speak, act and live in a way that honours him. That’s never going to be an easy way to live.

In the middle of the difficult, challenging or lonely times - and they happen to all of us - God is in our midst. Whether you’re hearing challenging words from God, or whether you’re struggling to hear His voice, know that adventuring with Jesus can be hard, but it’s worth it: 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.”

1 Peter 1:3-4