Follow Jesus

I finally made it back to the good old continental United States this week and it feels good to be home, (albeit I was immediately caught back up in the frenzy). Maui was relaxing and laid back and there is no sense of urgency there – none. Here things are different; there are mountains to climb and beasts to subdue.

Yesterday I was in catch up mode for the forty some odd projects that I have going at the moment and all day long I was in meeting after meeting, took call after call, and processed e-mail after e-mail, all in addition to working on my book and writing WFTD. I actually missed lunch, (working right through it). I thought it was about one o’clock in the afternoon and noticed that all of my employees were just about gone and looked at my watch and it was five o’clock already. I continued working on into the night and got up and got back at it early this morning and am so far behind it looks like I will never get caught back up. On Maui I didn’t even wear a watch.

Ok, which is better? Hmmm I would rather be busy.

What is up with that? Why not just retire and sit back. I believe it is because God instilled in most of us, certainly me, the strong desire to accomplish things. He also instilled in me the realization that this ain’t no dress rehearsal baby; this is all we are going to get on this old earth, so why not drink up all we can while we are still alive and kicking and breathing this air?

I have never understood lazy people. The Bible has much to say about them and none of it is complimentary. Solomon was the wisest and richest man this earth will ever know according to the Holy Spirit inspired Bible, and he had more to say about it than anyone else in the Bible. He is the one who calls them sluggards, and states that if they will not work they should not eat, and so on.

Jesus worked as a carpenter in His early years and was tireless in His efforts as an evangelist when He began His march towards Calvary. Prior to all of that, He was busy with projects galore. Take a look around this beautiful planet and then at the Hubble telescope website to get an inkling of some of His projects and creativity.

I think one of the most important lessons that I have learned in life is to try and emulate Jesus in everything that I do.

In any situation we should ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” I can honestly say that rarely does a day go by without me asking that question dozens of time. I cannot say that I always do things the way I would envision Him doing them, because I don’t. I wish I could and do try though, and I believe that is almost as important to Him as living the perfect life. Follow Jesus in your work ethic, attitude, your compassion for those around you, in your evangelistic zeal, in your times of trial and tribulation, in temptation, and anything else that crosses your mind and you cannot go wrong.

Here are the first sixteen verses of Psalm 25 (New Living Translation), which just sums it up beautifully:

Psalm 25:1-16
O LORD, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.

No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD.

The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. For the honor of your name, O LORD, forgive my many, many sins.

Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose. They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land. The LORD is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. My eyes are always on the LORD, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.