Sweet and Sour
Whether you teach a Sunday School class or you’re the next Mother Theresa, there are challenges that we all face in following in Jesus’ footsteps.
Reference: v.9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” (NIV Bible)
Explore: My heart is filled with so much joy when I feel close to God. Every time a prayer is answered or I see God move beyond my expectations I am just filled with so much love and praise. However, our Christian walk is not always an easy task. Along with times of praise and thanksgiving also come sacrifice, discipline and, the hardest of all, forgiveness. Whether you teach a Sunday School class or you’re the next Mother Theresa, there are challenges that we all face in following in Jesus’ footsteps. Often when we hear sermons or evangelistic messages we only hear the bright side of our faith. We get this picture that if we follow Jesus then everything will be smooth sailing. However, I wouldn’t exactly say that Jesus’ life was smooth sailing, so I’m not sure where we’re getting this picture from. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m dedicated to my faith no matter what my journey throws at me, but it doesn’t mean that it’s always easy.
Application: When John received a scroll in his vision it tasted sweet to the mouth but sour to his stomach. This is often the case when we receive a calling from God. To begin with we are dedicated and excited that God would choose us for such a mission but as time goes along and we start to hit monotony or hurdles come our way, our excitement can turn to discouragement. This is not to say that we are no longer following God’s plan for our lives. Just because things get difficult does not mean we have taken the wrong journey. It’s times like this that bring the opportunity for evaluation and dedication. No matter what path we take God promises to be with us. Unfortunately He doesn’t promise that the path will be smooth (or sweet), but He will never abandon us along the way.
Prayer: Lord, give us the strength to hang in there when the journey gets long and tough. May we rely on You for all our needs. Amen.
What has your faith journey been like lately?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.