"likes." "follows." and sacrifice.

I was struck today by the evidence of our American give-it-to-me-now lifestyle.  The majority of new construction seems aimed at our convenience ...fast food restaurants, drive-through pharmacies.   I find I get impatient when Facebook doesn't load instantly, but often don't have the time to truly connect to a friend.  Often, my relationship with Christ is like that of a Facebook acquaintance...I subscribe to a feed or two that will give me some scripture or encouragement, I may read the post or even "like" it, but just like all of my other "friends," I rarely take the time to truly interact.

Our culture spoon-feeds just about everything to us for a price, but I am discovering that the things truly worth having require time, patience, and sacrifice.  And though I can assent to, or "like" this idea, as I circumspect my life, the evidence of my "following" is surely lacking.

Many people like the idea of eating nutritiously and exercising, but rarely make definitive strides in following any sort of pattern or plan.  I found this article a great motivator to making a step.  I must confess...until recently, I rarely "cooked" anything that did not come out of a box or bag.  In the last week, I have made muffins from scratch, homemade hummus, four trays of baby food, roasted pumpkin seeds, homemade lasagna, and a roast!  I don't think I used my kitchen that much in the first six years of our marriage combined!  I don't say this to boast in myself, but to highlight the Lord's grace in allowing me to put the time into nutritious  meals for my family when I never thought it possible.  

Most people wish they had more time for relationship with family and friends, but seem to find hours a day for television, chat rooms, message boards, social networking, etc.  I know that in ten years, I will not look back and be remissed over the television I missed or internet surfing I didn't do, but that I didn't spend the time to invest in the lives of those that I love.  Real relationships require vulnerability, forgiveness, and bearing each other's burdens....work.  Work I wish I was doing more.

Now to the most challenging part...Jesus.  

It's easy to "like" Jesus.  I "like" that He forgives me, loves me, and answers my prayers, but do I follow Him?...(and I don't mean "follow" in the sense of subscribing to Jesus Daily...that's not a bad thing, but it hardly encompasses following Him!)

Am I yielding to His Spirit minute by minute or merely assenting that He would probably want something different from my life?  Am I relating to the Heavenly Father as a daughter?  As the bride of Christ?  Am I seeing Him as infinitely beautiful, wise, holy, righteous, loving, magnificent, sovereign....?

Following versus liking must begin with the first step...

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  Matthew 16:24-25

Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  The things worth truly having require time, patience, and sacrifice.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, take the first step...  

If you've already taken the first step, by the power of the Spirit, keep walking.

Keep following.