[the freedom to walk away]

The past couple months, Jesus has been really precious to me. I'm not sure what it is. But between Bible studies I lead and the season of Lent, I found myself re-reading the passion story a lot lately and getting choked up a couple of times.

It's not that I hadn't heard it before. I know my sin is a barrier between me and God. I know no matter what I do, I cannot attain a perfect relationship with Him. I know Jesus endured excruciating pain, abandonment, betrayal, rejection, suffering and loneliness for me and for the world. I know Jesus bought our eternity back on that cross.

But you know what else? You know what hit me hard this week? We can know all of that and continue on living the very same way. Pursue our dreams, take credit for our gifts, accumulate our stuff, build our own kingdom, ignore Jesus' commands and live for our pleasures, busy schedules and comfortable lives. Recite the gospel from memory but walk away from the call to be His disciple.

Ever notice that?

People walked away from Jesus all the time, especially when He was honest. Jesus stated truth plainly. He showed compassion and grace. He loved deeply. But when He said something people didn't like, and they didn't want to bend to His ways, they walked away. And He didn't run after them.

He didn't coax them back persuasively.

He didn't make empty promises to win their affections.

He didn't speak only what that they wanted to hear or change the message to make it more comfortable.

He spoke truth. He loved deeply. And if they chose to walk away, He let them go.

Does that scare you? It does me.

Because it means I, too, have that same freedom. If I thank Jesus for His forgiveness but go on living my life the way I want, will God still love me? Absolutely. Will He still put people in my life to point me back to His Word? Absolutely. Will He give up on me? No, never. But will I miss out on God's best if I live in this mindset? Every time.

Easter is coming. It's a time when we remember, once again, the message and victory of the cross. I pray it's also a time for us to say yes to Jesus' call. To respond in thankfulness for all He has done and to live differently because of it.