I often find myself in this rut.

I see the same people. I work on similar projects. My weekly activities rarely change.

I begin to see Jesus as the world sees Him.

Somebody slap me please!

I wouldn’t go so far as to say I have contempt for Christ, but I definitely become lazy in my pursuit of knowing Him better each day. Where has the wonder (amazement & awe) gone? Where has my fear of a holy and righteous Lord slipped away to? Has my pursuit of Christ and daily denial of self become so lax that I’m merely floating in a stagnant pond, waiting for a sudden spiritual growth spurt??

Because of the Spirit’s conviction in my heart, I have decided to put forth a greater effort at learning more about who Christ is. I have determined that going back to the roots of the gospel is where my focus should be today. My favorite gospel account is the book of John. Today, I read John 18-20. This passage tells the story of Jesus immediately following the “High Priestly Prayer” and goes through the arrest, illegal trials, encounter with Pilate, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and appearances before the disciples. My immediate thought – Christ freely gave of Himself, in every aspect. He never did or said anything for His own benefit. It was always to do the will of the Father. He served, even to the extent of being a slave, by washing His disciples’ horribly dirty feet. He loved mankind to the point of death.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

He calls me, a former enemy of God, His friend.

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

I haven’t been a very loyal friend recently. I have become too familiar with the knowledge of Christ. Instead of holding to what this world has to offer by becoming its lover, I am called to forsake the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. My desire must be to become a lover of Christ…a slave of Christ. To truly love, obey, and serve Christ, I must pursue Him with all my being!

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18