Wait… but what about verses like:
23And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Matthew 19:23-24 ASV
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6 ASV
13Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. 14For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 ASV
I’m not saying that I believe there are ways to get to heaven outside of Jesus or that you can put out enough good vibes and love in to the world without Jesus to secure your name in the book of life.
What I am saying is God created you different than he created me. He created me as a sarcastic woman with a dry sense of humor and a love for data and figures. Most of my friends laugh at my bar graphs and line charts, especially when I’m using them to make a point. But that doesn’t make other people and their experience and their path any less significant.
God created us differently, but he loves all of us the same. Regardless of your race, gender, social status, marital status, bank account balance, sexuality, identity, or any other defining characteristic that makes up who you are…. God created YOU and he loves YOU.
We are all on different journeys. The end goal may be the same, but how we get there will differ wildly. God is asking you to come as you are right now. Jesus does ask us to live differently after deciding to follow him. But he doesn’t ask you to make those changes all at once. It’s impossible and would be completely overwhelming.
A friend of mine put it this way “Our pursuit of Christlike-ness must be Holy Spirit led, because we cannot accomplish any of this on our own. We must depend on his strength and leadership; it is not a self-help project. [T]here is a ton of room for growth because there will always be a ton of room for all of us. But God does not expect us to be perfect, just faithful and totally submitted to him. Throughout the Bible that is all he ever asked of his followers. Our being totally submitted allows him to lead us to become who he wants us to be and to do what he wants us to do, and not get distracted by what the world or the current Christian fad or anyone else is telling us to be or do. Which means just because a voice in our head or the current Christian lingo is telling us to (____??____), doesn’t mean that is where God wants us working.” – Jan Riggs.
So to the Christian that may be further along on their journey than others – remember that your journey is unique to you. People may look to you for guidance, but don’t try to force them to ‘your path’. Instead, help them find the path that God is calling them to.
To the Christian that is just starting their journey. Remember that God loves you. You don’t have to change everything at once. You don’t have to change anything at all. That’s not what God wants from you. He wants you to trust and follow him. One day at a time.
To the Christian that is somewhere in between. Keep studying. Keep asking questions. Tune in to the Holy Spirit. Let Him guide you on your path. Regardless of where he may be taking others.
Love,
Ashley
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