A Ragamuffin's Rest

The more I pursue the way of Christ and the life He desires me to live, the more I find incompadability with the church that the world knows today. I'm talking about that part of the church that thinks they are not like the church in America today. I know its complicated, but we do that intentionally to keep our pride in tact and put the blame somewhere else on someone else. The way of the ragamuffin is not popular. Many will say they are willing to follow Christ to a place of service where they are willing to loose their life to find it, but few backup their words with actions. We criticize the rich young ruler because he was not willing to sell all he had to follow Jesus, but we won't do it either. Most of us can't even give Him 10% of our money, much less our heart, mind, and soul. One of the most difficult things I have faced as a Bible teacher is to get people to commit themselves to the truth of the Word. They want to know the truth, they want to know the right way to live, but when the Holy spirit begins to break it down for them, they hesitate, and wait, an rationalize, and make excuses, and try to find another way. We all do it, but we have to stop. There is no other way, but His! I'm putting myself in the same place. A ragamuffin knows He is nothing without the grace of God.

There is something radically wrong when most of the promises and blessings of the Word of God goes untested and untried by God's people. Something is wrong when we can't let go of our pride long enough to figure out we need God and we can't do anything on our own. I know this is convicting, but it really shouldn't be. We allow the weightiness of the Christian life to bear down on us and wear us out. Thats not the gospel message Jesus shared. He promises to give us rest if we cast our cares upon Him.

So if you are weary and heavy laden, if your tired or convicted, let it go and run after Jesus. He will show you the paths of life and in His presence is fullness of joy.

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