Where is the heart?

It's been a burden on my heart for some time now - and I think it's time to share it. 

Conservative, liberal, moderate, you name it... I've seen it. 

I've been to the dregs of the conservative SDA movement. Seen the extremism some call religion, where every move is oppressive with the weight of do's and don'ts. 

I've seen the statistics. How the same preacher that is commanding modesty and vegan-ism, goes home to eat chocolate and watch pornography... or worse...

I've also seen the liberal side. The people who are always ecstatic, and claim to love Jesus above all, even sharing Him everywhere the go, with their CCM blaring. 

And they go home and do the same hideous things the conservatives do. 

And I've wondered. Questioned. 

Why?

Why do those who claim to know Jesus, seem to be so far from Him?

I think I know. 

You see, it's a heart issue. 

And I have discovered, that much of the religion of the day, is utterly confused as to what Jesus meant when He said "Follow Me."

He didn't say, 'go, become a good person, make lots of rules, and make life miserable, then follow me.' 

Neither did He say, 'It's alright. You can keep your sins and follow Me. I won't judge you...'

He simply said "Follow Me."

And I am starting to understand what that means. It does not mean that you are to be a conservative, or a liberal. Jesus came to save Pharisees and Sadducees. 

What it does mean, is that we are to follow in the footsteps of Christ. 

Go, see how He lived. Read how He woke early, to seek His Father. Watch Him earnestly pleading for strength to endure the trials of the day, far before the sun peeked over the horizon. 

See Him, the King of Heaven, never once making a move He didn't know His Father had asked Him to make. Watch Him give of Himself, time and time again, to Jew and Greek, Pharisee and Sadducee. Until there was nothing left to give, that hadn't been given. And then He gave His life. 

And then, let us look at our own lives. Are we following Him?

Maybe it's cheese. Maybe it's lustful thoughts. 

Maybe, it's the giant of pride and selfishness...

Our job is not to chase these issues. Our job, is to follow Him.

And we will find, as we follow on, falling at His feet for help, that these things will no longer have so strong a pull. Because no one wants to hurt their best friend, and He hurts when we hurt ourselves...

And maybe, just maybe, if we actually start following Jesus, instead of manufacturing our own sub-religions, people will see Him - in us, and then in the clouds. 

This morning, I am asking myself the question: where is my heart? 

Does Jesus have it?

Give it to Him. 

You'll never regret it...