To a degree, everyone who is conscious and capable is on a journey—working out how life should be, experiencing various issues from day to day, encountering matters big and small, and being shaped by their response to what they encounter.
Committing to 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 shines a light on a dark ending and contrasts that with a brighter outcome, even through storms and challenges, by walking with Him. By following His path, we are not assured of a smooth and easy ride at all, but we are assured that His company will lead 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 also eager for others to make the turn. There’s a fascinating episode with Paul near the end of the book of Acts. He’s under arrest, and the Roman governor of the Jewish province is keen to appease the religious rulers and keeps Paul in that condition even though he doesn’t need to be. He has a guest called Agrippa along with his wife Bernice, so he brings Paul out to bring out the issue that brings him to the point of appealing to Caesar. Among other things that Paul says, he replies to a suggestion that he wants others to be like him by boldly declaring that he’d like everyone to be like him ... except for the chains thing. Paul’s account was of a man heading in a direction he thought was right, only to encounter 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. However, when I started the journey, 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 turned to follow Jesus; I’d merely signed up to be a part of a Christian club I’d been attending because my parents attended.
The turn clearly took place a bit later in the story with Jesus. What was clear after that turn wasn’t necessarily a rabid devotion to hassling everyone I knew to make the turn. It was, however, a tendency to be eager to make the most of any opportunity to engage 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. Unsurprisingly, something far more mundane, trivial and largely unhelpful would come out, going along with gossip 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 there’s a call to turn every day. Due to the majesty, beauty and splendour of the King who calls for the turn, that decision becomes increasingly enriching. It is a reason to keep sensing those opportunities to invite others to turn.
For His Name's Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
