Pleasure or Persecution

Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said to the crowd:
"They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

I remember the first time I read these lines I was quite shocked. I thought that if I followed Jesus that everything would be sunshine and rainbows. I mean after all, I would be doing what Jesus wanted right? Why would I be persecuted? It took me a long time to swallow that idea. Now that I am older I find less concern for what happens in this world. I care, I do, but I don't worry near as much. I realize that this world is but a blink of an eye compared to eternity. I am on a journey. I can choose to be a tourist and just take in the sights, or I can be a pilgrim. I can travel with purpose to my true end destination. I can learn to love along the way, or I can just collect stuff that will weigh me down. I can let the love of the Holy Spirit flow through me or I can make myself a man that is only concerned with himself. Some days I choose wisely, other days I do not. The days I do not I pause, get back up and try loving again moving forward home.

Jesus,

The world says that I should just gobble up as much pleasure as possible. It says that I should eat, drink and be merry. It says that I should look out only for myself, sad thing is that this is how I act sometimes. This is not how you love. You love giving all of yourself all of the time. Most times we refuse to acknowledge this and accept your love. Please forgive me. I am thankful for all that you have done for me. Help me to be a better person. I love you. My heart is overwhelmed by your giving. Thank you Jesus.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen