When I think about following God’s will, I almost immediately think about turning back to what I was before. After all, it was so much easier to be who I was. Then the thought of turning back reminds me of the story of Sodom and Gommorah. I know that it wasn’t originally written to be a parable but a historical account of an act of God upon the wickedness of these cities, but I cant help but think of it in terms of a parable at times. Its how I picture the transformation that we go through after baptism. I liken the sin and corruption that we were in to that of the cities of Sodom and Gommorah and the destruction of those cities being what happens to our old selves and our old sins. They’re eradicated. Erased. Made to where there’s no sign of existence. However, we, just as they were, are warned to not look or go back; not to long for what once was now that we are under the Grace of God. Luckily, we won’t be punished as harshly as Lot’s wife. The bible shows us many times that God knows this will be hard for us as humans. Luke 9:23 says “ And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” He emphasizes the fact that to follow Christ, we’d have to deny self and deny fleshly desires. And we are to do take up our cross, which in my mind symbolizes the struggles of being a Christian, DAILY and follow loyally. What I gather from this verse is that I’m no longer the old me, it will be difficult, but I am too do it anyway. This is echoed later in Luke 9:62 when Jesus is talking to those that wish to follow him and he says “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Again, don’t look back. He also says a little earlier that “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Which brings me to my next point. Christianity can be hard.
It seems disheartening at times. Like, its near impossible. Often times, as I make my way back to Christ, I wonder “how will I be strong enough to do this?” or “what if people don’t accept what I’m saying or possibly make fun of me?” But then I remember 2 Tim 1 “7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.” We should follow Paul’s example and realize that within us is the Holy Spirit and, with that, comes power, love and self-discipline. I think its important that these three attributes are specified because although we are given power and strength, even courage, we are also given love and self-discipline to correctly handle the drive and the hunger that many of us will experience.
And when it becomes too hard. Or when temptation becomes too strong or our anger, anxiety, or sadness gets too great for us to bear, the bible tells us what to do with that as well. Philippians 4:6-7 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”