THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Lord, ever since You called me to follow You, life has been an amazing journey. Has being a Christ follower always been easy? Of course not. You said to follow You required taking up our ‘cross’ daily, give up our desires and follow what You desire for us. However, by following You, I have reaped rewards that have made life contented and meaningful, despite occasional hardships.

The psalmist beautifully described his new life of serving You.

“You have given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to You, my God. Many will see what You have done [for me] and be amazed. They will put their trust in You, my Lord and God,” — Psalm 40:3 (NLT)

I noticed friends began looking at me differently. Did the psalmist get those same “What’s goin’ on with you?” looks, much like I got? Were the psalmist’s buddies skeptical of his new attitude, much like my confused buds? What caused he and I to no longer get rattled by the least little things? Scriptures suggest the psalmist and I had similar up-and-down character traits.

There is only one reason why this change in the psalmist and me: God changed our hearts.

Some friends thought this was just a phase I was going through. Decades later, they are amazed I’m still following You. Have I always been obedient? Do I remain flawed? Have I stumbled? Of course. I’m human, but the new song You put in my heart, and Your grace have carried me through. I could not pick up my cross daily and follow You, Jesus, without Your help.

May my new song always be in tune with You, Jesus. Amen.