Over the past few months certain areas of scripture have been standing out to me more than others; not saying I’ve been neglecting other portions of scripture, it’s just my mind has been stuck on a particular subject. I’ve been drifting toward the parts of scripture where Jesus told people to do outrageous and seemingly irresponsible things for him. For instance, him telling people to quit their jobs and follow him (Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 9:9), him telling people in order to be his disciple they must take up an object of torture (the cross) and then they can follow him (Matthew16: 24-26), Jesus telling people to give up every thing they have to follow him (Mark 10:17-25), and of course him telling Peter to step out of the boat and walk to him on the water (Matthew 14:26-33). Everywhere in the New Testament Jesus tells his followers to do things that seem to make no sense at all and the scary part is that we are included in what he commands.

            Many people today like to use excuses for not following Jesus’ words saying things like, ‘He was really speaking to those people in that culture and if he were here he would’ve actually said this…’ But, the sad news about that is the fact that scripture is not, as they would put it, only relevant for that culture, however, scripture is as much relevant today as it was when Jesus physically spoke to the crowds. Jesus’ words have the same meaning, context, and purpose for our lives today in 2010 as it did in the early first century.

            With that, Lauren and I were approached by a couple of friends to move back to Georgia and help them start a church plant in Rome, GA. Yes, I know, I thought the same thing: “You want us to do what?” It seemed crazy and most definitely the irresponsible thing to do considering we would not have jobs in that area or a house, so, my answer in my mind for a while was no. But, as always, God’s plan is bigger than my reasoning. As time progressed our hearts, minds, thoughts, dreams, desires were pulling us to Rome. It finally came to a point when Lauren looked at me and said, “It’s now just a matter of whether we truly trust Jesus or not.” And that pretty much did it for me considering the next night I was speaking to the youth group about Jesus telling us all, just as he told Peter, to step out of our boats (our comfort zones) and trust him with every step we take in life. So, we made the most irresponsible responsible decision and told our current employers that after the next month we’re quitting and moving back to Georgia without any guarantee of any income or even a home to go to. But, let me tell you, Jesus is faithful to those who trust him with everything they are and have. It’s scary at times, but he will never leave you to fall. Just like when Peter, even though he stepped out of the boat trusting Jesus, began to sink in the water Jesus was there to lift him up and he will also be there to lift us all up if we just trust him enough to step out.

            In a matter of a week Lauren and I have a home that we’re moving into in two weeks, I have a full-time job (besides the church plant) waiting on me, and Lauren has some very promising leads for employers that God is lining up. The only thing I can say to end this post with is the words of the psalmist who said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).