Jesus is not part of my life. I realize that might sound somewhat shocking coming from a Christian pastor, but it’s true – Jesus is not part of my life. For many years, Jesus was part of my life, but to be honest, it never really worked out having Jesus as part of my life. I’m not sure how long it was like this, but Jesus was just as much a part of my life as were the other things that I love in life.
- I love my wife Kyla – and she is part of my life.
- I love my kids – Tristan, Reilly, and Caeden – and they are all part of my life.
- I love my extended family – they are all part of my life.
- I love my church family GENESIS – this community is part of my life.
- I love my role as pastor – I’m grateful that this is part of my life.
- I love my college sports – Ohio State, in particular, is part of my life.
- I love my Chipotle – what can I say, it’s part of my life.
This is a very short list of things that I love – things that are part of my life, but thankfully, Jesus is not on this list of things that are part of my life. To be honest, I don’t think Jesus wants to be part of my life. I don’t think Jesus wants to be one of the many things that I love – one of the many things that make up my life.
I’m convinced that Jesus did not come and do ALL He did so that He could be part of my life. No! Jesus came so that I and anyone else that would choose to follow Him would declare that ‘Jesus is my life!’
It might seem like a subtle distinction, but to say that ‘Jesus is part of my life’ and ‘Jesus is my life’ are two very different things. To say the former, Jesus just becomes another piece of the pie – one more thing that you need to juggle in already crowded life. One more love that competes with all the other loves in your life. But to say that latter, that ‘Jesus is my life’ is to say that Jesus is the one giving shape and form to other aspects of your life.
To say that ‘Jesus is your life’ is to say that Jesus is the one who’s shaping your marriage, your parenting, your family and friends, your work, your hobbies, etc. Simply put, to say that ‘Jesus is your life’ is to say that Jesus is the one who’s in control of you and all you do.
When we keep Jesus as part of our lives, we get to control just how much of a say that Jesus has in all that we do. If Jesus is just part of my life, then I don’t necessarily need Jesus to bleed into the other aspects of my life – I can keep Jesus where I want Him so when I need Him, I know where to look. If Jesus is just part of my life, then ultimately, I’m living and acting as if I’m actually in control of my life, which as you may have discovered by now is just not possible.
Jesus is not part of my life – is He part of yours?
All are invited to attend the GENESIS Community this Fall, beginning Sunday, September 28th as we explore over six weeks how to no longer live with Jesus as part of your life, rather, living with Jesus as your life.
