“MY LETTER TO YOU”
Hi,
So today will be different than the other 29 days. Over the past six weeks, my goal has been to teach you how to follow Jesus.
I want to share my heart with you as a pastor who desperately wants to see you follow Jesus.
Today, as we close our journey, I want to share my heart with you as a pastor who desperately wants to see you follow Jesus.
On the last day of North Star, here is my message: Never quit, and never walk alone.
1: NEVER QUIT
I have been following Jesus since I was five years old (and seriously since I was twenty-one). Over the past decade, the journey has been full of ups and downs.
There have been moments when I questioned my calling. I have experienced the pain of praying and investing into a discipleship relationship, only to see him leave the faith. I’ve watched friends I thought would be lifelong walk away. I’ve listened in shock as a pastor I respected insulted me to my face. I’ve experienced the embarrassment of making a mistake and having to stand in front of a room of 300 men and own up to it.
There have been moments when I questioned my calling.
There have been days when my mind was filled with doubt and anxiety and nights when I’ve gone to sleep feeling nothing but disappointment and rejection.
Not every season is like this. I’m so grateful for the good days; there are many. There is nothing like experiencing the intimacy of being with Jesus, the transformation of becoming like Jesus, or the excitement of doing what Jesus did.
My friend Jackson says that when you follow Jesus, your soul is thrilled with a sense of destiny. He’s right.
When you follow Jesus, your soul is thrilled with a sense of destiny.
But you don’t feel like quitting on the good days. And when (not if) you experience a bad day, I beg you: Never quit.
The writer of Hebrews says that we should lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)
Make your decision to run with endurance. And take heart knowing that God is far more committed to us than we are to him.
In some seasons, you may have hours to spend on the practices. Sometimes, you will be fortunate to dedicate twenty minutes a day. But no matter what, never quit.
There will be days when your road is rocky with hardships and trials. There will be moments when you must chop distracting thorns out of your way.
As you move forward, stay devoted to the practices of Jesus. Your rhythms will change as you move through life. In some seasons, you may have hours to spend on the practices. Sometimes, you will be fortunate to dedicate twenty minutes a day. But no matter what, never quit.
Keep on praying. Keep on reading. Keep on abiding. God is working, even when you don’t feel it.
2: NEVER WALK ALONE
As I developed this 30-day journey, I thought of it like a “Couch To 5K” workout plan. “Couch To 5K” is not the only exercise plan you will ever need. It only scratches the surface of all fitness knowledge. But it will help you begin the journey.
I am not claiming that North Star contains everything you need for your walk of faith. There are hundreds of amazing resources in the world. But I pray it gives you the tools you need to begin your journey with Jesus.
Jesus never invited anyone into a solo relationship with him.
The focus of North Star is your personal relationship with Jesus. But there is one, vital key that we have not yet discussed. It is one of God’s greatest gifts to us: Community.
Jesus never invited anyone into a solo relationship with him. He called his twelve into a community. When he sent them into the world, he did so two-by-two. It is rare to read about a New Testament follower of Jesus who is alone (unless they are imprisoned for their faith).
The writer of Hebrews encourages us to continue in our community of Jesus-followers. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
At church, I met best friends who have shaped me more than anyone else I know.
I wouldn’t be the man I am today without my church. I am so thankful to belong to a community of believers.
At church, I met best friends who have shaped me more than anyone else I know. I’ve grown because mentors and pastors have spent hours sipping coffee with me, listening, and speaking wisdom into my life. I’ve been able to use my spiritual gifts, doing what Jesus did, in my community.
Structure your schedule around your church community.
Can I encourage you: Never walk alone. Structure your schedule around your church community.
If you are going through this material with a North Star group, talk with your leader about your next steps in getting connected to your church. If you are reading the material alone, ask a pastor or leader to help you get connected. If you don’t have a church, search for one that teaches the Bible and helps you grow closer to Jesus.
3: THANK YOU
To recap: Never quit. And never walk alone.
As we close, I want to say “thank you”. The greatest gift you can give is your attention. I am so grateful that in a world of opportunities, you chose to spend the past six weeks on this journey.
The greatest gift you can give is your attention. I am so grateful that in a world of opportunities, you chose to spend the past six weeks on this journey.
I hope it was helpful. I hope you feel equipped to move forward. But most of all, I hope that you encountered Jesus.
I am thankful to be on the journey with you. Let’s keep following. May we be covered in the dust of our rabbi.
NEXT STEPS
- Continue reading the book of the Bible you selected yesterday
- Talk with your North Star leader about continuing to implement the practices of Jesus into your daily life
- Talk with your North Star leader about getting connected to the community