Why do I make living for Jesus so complicated? Do this…don’t do that. Say this…don’t say that. I get tangled up in brambles and briers of my own making. Guilt from my past rears its ugly head more often than I’d like. After all, Jesus has bothered to sacrifice His life in order to forgive my sins. Hanging on to old useless junk seems ungrateful. Like kicking dust in Jesus’ face, marking ‘return to sender’ for the best gift anyone has ever given me. Not smart. Way too many flies in the ointment of my faith.

Looking for some help, I run across Mark 9. There I stop for a moment. Something in this story shouts ‘pay attention’. Is the Lord speaking to me? In a still, small voice? You think?

Here’s what grabs me. One day Jesus’ disciples are confronted by a father and son. The boy suffers from convulsions. An evil spirit tosses him to the ground. Foam appears on his lips. A demon casts him into flames of fire, and then into a pool of water trying to drown him. What father wouldn’t want to find any help from any source anywhere? Desperate he turns to Jesus’ followers. For help and healing. But the apostles prove inept and useless.

Jesus is not a happy camper, hearing about His followers’ limp dishrag efforts. He tells them to bring the boy to Him. The father shares his son’s story, asking Jesus to help if He can. If He can? If? Jesus then says that everything is possible with God. That’s when the father admits this–‘I believe; help my unbelief!’

I can have said much the same. To be honest, I need my faith to grow more. This father openly displays his honesty and humility. That his faith needs more oomph and resilience. He wants to trust Jesus but fears disappointment. ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ He’s not alone with that confession.

Throughout this story, two elements surface that make for a Christian life. A couple of basics. To untangle twisted-up faith. First, obviously involves a relationship with Jesus. More than mouthing some words, it’s coming to Him, believing Him. Okay, like that father, we’re not perfect. Our faith needs beefing up. A mustard seed-sized faith will do. At least for starters. Baby steps lead to walking and then running with your Lord. But start where you are.

Faith in Jesus means trusting Him even when we’re not sure that we should or can. A conscious choice to be His. Position Him first and foremost, and then put Him back up there when we’ve allowed other things to give Him the old heave-ho. Be quick about this. Don’t dawdle. Your faith will mature and grow the more you put Him first. Three steps forward, one back. One forward, two back. But remember, the trend is your friend as your faith will grow. Be patient, even with yourself. Again, your faith in Jesus will grow.

Then there’s prayer. I don’t have a set formula. Or some magic incantation that opens heaven’s ears and arms. A skeleton key that unlocks all the blessings we think we can’t live without. No. Prayer is simply sitting at Jesus’ feet and telling Him all that’s on your heart and mind. All of it. With your Lord. Talking with Him. And listening to Him in your Bible. Thinking of Him and His ways more often than not. Unable to wait to be with Him. A passion, if you will. A want-to that’s much more than a have-to. You know the difference. Don’t you?

Following Jesus is not some Rube Goldberg contraption, a brand-new high-tech unfathomable gadget, or an old can of worms impossible to open. Just follow. Stop playing games. Mean it. The purpose of our lives? Here’s a thought–‘The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever’ (from the Westminster Shorter Catechism).

Hey, even I can put my head around that wisdom! Two requirements. Worship and enjoyment…of our God. Now and forever. That says it all!

Thank you, Jesus, for being the love of my life. Amen.