Where Do I go To From Here? by Stormcrow

When Gangstyle asked me to submit a follow up piece to his entitled “One Minute Later … Where Will You Be” I was both honored and humbled. To be entrusted by someone that you respect with an important task is perhaps one of the greatest a show of respect and trust that one human being can give to another, so I was honored by his request. At the same time, his request humbled me. I am well aware that not all people should be teachers. James the brother of Christ wrote, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1 NIV) I am not the wisest being around, I do not have all the answers, so it is with a humble and prayerful heart that I approach this task in hope that he that is the wisest, and does have all the answers guilds my words.

The task that I am to address in this piece, the question of what now, where do I go from here, now that I have accepted Christ, is no simple question to answer. There is no standard rule or advice that one can offer; there is no simple 2+2 formula to follow. This is because every individual is unique and has a unique relationship with our Lord. The relationship I have with Jesus, the way that I know him, is not the same as it is for anyone else and their relationship with him. But, though my relationship with Jesus is unique, it is more similar to the relationship that others have with him, than it is different. It is within these similarities that we can find a path to follow, a task to do, that will takes us beyond a simple belief and accept that Jesus is Christ and Lord into a real and meaningful relationship with him.

Whenever two people enter into a new relationship, whether that relationship is as lovers or friends, or simply as co-workers, there is an initial period of time in which they are getting to know each other on a more personal level. Sometimes this initial period of time getting to know someone passes quickly and easily and this new relationship develops or matures with little effort or drama. But, this is not always the situation, in fact it is probably not even the normal one. Sometimes it takes some time to get to know someone new for a relationship with that person to develop. The same situation also exists whenever someone enters a relationship with Jesus. There is an initial period learning in which they get to know him and begin to develop a relationship with him. For some people this initial period of time is short and easy, and for some it is a long and difficult process – what determines how this relationship will develop is the individual involved and their experiences and expectations.

There are many factors that may contribute how any given relationship might develop, but they can general be put into two categories, those categories being the experiences and expectations of the individuals involved. If the individual has had good experiences in past relationships, they may have an easier time develop new ones, but if they have had a bad experience with past relationships, then they may have a difficult time forming new ones. Likewise and often related to past experience, is the expectation an individual brings to the new relationship. If an individual has had good experiences in relationship with others – especially within their families, they are likely to enter new relationships with the expectation that they will be accepted as they are, or that they can trust others. But, if they have had bad experiences in the past with relationships, they may enter each new relationships with the expectation that people can not be trusted until they have proven themselves. Because of this expectation, it takes them a long time to form new relationships, much less a trusting meaningful one. Additionally, there may be unrealistic expectations or hopes that have no basis in facts or experience, yet have profound influences on how a relationship develops – and can actually prevent those involved in being able to see the truth of who each other is or the situation they are in. These same factors influence how an individual relationship with the Lord, with Jesus might develop. Because of past experiences they may not be able to understand what it is like to be truly wanted, accepted, and loved – they may not be able to accept them because they have never known them. Thus, it may take time and maybe even some drama for their understanding to grow to a point were they can begin to accept and believe in these things. These individuals may also have some unrealistic expectations that may prevent them from being able to see and understand who Jesus is, or what it really means to have a relationship with him, to accept him into their lives.

Thus, every individuals relationship with Jesus is unique, just as every individuals and their experiences and expectations upon entering their relationship with him are unique. At the same time there are similarities and constants that exist between one persons relationship with Jesus and another’s – the most important of these being who Jesus is, and who he is doesn’t change from person to person. Because Jesus doesn’t change from person to person, it is possible to look at the example of others and the paths they have followed as they started their relationships with Jesus and how their relationships developed. These examples can be found in the Bible throughout the New Testament and included such stories as Peter’s Confession of Christ (Matthew 16:17-18); The Rich Ruler (Luke 18:18-43); Peter’s Address of the Crowd at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41) and the Fellowship of the Believers; Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40), and Saul’s Conversion (Acts 9:1-22) to name just a few.

I'll leave you to check these out this coming week and return with the 2nd part next week...

Continued Next week...