Following Jesus Is The Only Way To Succeed

During the Blizzard of 2016, we spent five days straight playing in the snow. At our house we have a large hill in the back yard, on which we spent much time sledding. In whole we most likely travelled up and down this hill more than 30 times. There was one time in particular that Noah and I were ascending back up the hill after a great ride down and I heard him say to me from behind, "Daddy, I am having a hard time getting up the hill! I need help!"

Since my hands were full carrying sleds and I also was having difficulty trudging through the ~18 inches of snow back up the hill myself, I spoke back to Noah and said, "Just walk in the footsteps I am making in the snow and it will help you get up the hill." Noah obeyed what I said and to his surprise, his ascent up the hill became much easier and eventually he made it to the top all by himself, simply by following and walking in my footsteps created in the snow.

As this transpired, I couldn't help but relate this to our spiritual walk with Jesus Christ. Sometimes we face difficult circumstances in this life and even as a Christian we are to expect them for Jesus said, we will have tribulation in this world (John 16:33). The great news though is in the same verse from John 16:33 Jesus said that in him we would have peace and to be of good cheer since He had overcome the world. This is a promise we have from the author and finisher of our faith. This something that we must remember as the difficulties, trials, tribulations, tests, and obstacles come.

We also must remember though that there are some guidelines to follow in order to overcome the trials of life and climb the spritual hill (or mountain) successfully. Let us look at just a few.

1.  Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." This is hard to accept sometimes from many people. This scripture can be summed up in one word...SUBMISSION. If we even think for one moment that we are going to climb the mountain successfully without submitting to Jesus Christ, then we are in for a rude awakening. In order to make it to the top of the mountain successfully, we must submit to Jesus Christ. This means we must put aside what we think, accept the challenge, and follow Jesus' orders. For example, Noah could have decided not to submit to my guidance and either had a very difficult time in walking up the hill or failed all together because it was too difficult on his own. Since he denied what he thought he should do, took up the challenge (e.g., the cross), and literally followed me, he was successful.


2. Paul said in Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." In order to submit to Jesus Christ, we must walk in the spirit and not in the flesh. What is walking in the flesh? It is basically doing what we want instead of want God wants. Walking in the flesh also does not align with God's will. Therefore walking in the flesh is walking in sin. On the other hand, walking in the spirit is doing what God wants instead of what we want. Walking in the spirit is obeying Jesus Christ no matter what. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). Pray you will always walk in the spirit. For example again, Noah decided to trust me, not himself. He decided to walk after me and not after his own way since obviously his own way wasn't working. Again, his obedience made him successful. 


3. Jesus said in Luke 9:62, "No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Once we submit to Christ and begin walking in the spirit instead of the flesh, we must not look back on what we used to do or think. We must stay focused on Jesus Christ completely with a clear vision. Proverbs 29:18 tells us, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." In order to climb the mountain successfully and to overcome the trials of life, we must never look back with the intention of doing things our way again (which equates to sin). If we look back, we will never succeed in the challenges of life since the old way (walking in the flesh which is sin) never worked, therefore we cannot seek it again. For example the third time, because Noah submitted and walked after me, he had no reason to look back into doing things his way since the way I guided him worked. This is how it works with Jesus, when we look forward to him instead of looking back to our ways, we will always succeed in God's will.

I hope by sharing this simple experience, it encourages and strengthens you to submit to Christ, walk in the Holy Spirit, and never look back. Equally important, I hope this encourages you to share this with others, especially your children so that when they face difficulties, whether big or small (like Noah did trying to climb up our hill), they will know what to do and who to turn to for help: JESUS CHRIST!

 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones" (Proverbs 3:5-8).