In Your Dreams...
- May 21
- 7 min read
A majority of my life has been spent pursuing a professional football career in America. At the time, football had my heart -- and all of my time and energy, too. One of my brother's friends (who was forced into being a big brother to me as well) retired around the age of 28 after making 30 million dollars in his career. So I knew that football was the spaceship that could take me and everyone I knew to a different life.
I envisioned my parents and siblings never having to work again, only doing what they wished and never worrying about money. For most of my existence on earth, I lived wholeheartedly for the idea of retiring the people whom I loved.
The closer I got to my dreams turning into a reality, however, I realized that not everyone wanted to help in my journey but lots of people (who were not even family) wanted to reap the fruits of my labor. I even had one person say, "Once you sign your first contract, can you purchase me a 'small' house in Hawaii?" Another asked me to pay the remainder of their debt. I thought to myself, in your dreams.
No one wants to be a part of the process, but everyone wants to celebrate at the finish line. I've always detested these kinds of people in my heart, calling them the "scumbags of society." Recently, however, God revealed that I was, in fact, one of those type of people myself -- not willing to suffer for Him, not willing to give up my comfort and convenience, yet expecting to celebrate once Jesus crosses the finish line and takes His servants home.
How many of us who profess Christ and fantasize about how glorious Heaven will be run at the first thought of any struggle that we may face? This is the message that Jesus is trying to convey to one of the men that dreamed of eating bread in the kingdom of Heaven.
15 When one of those who reclined [at the table] with Him heard this, he said to Him, Blessed (happy, fortunate, and [d]to be envied) is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God! 16 But Jesus said to him, A man was once giving a great supper and invited many; 17 And at the hour for the supper he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, Come, for all is now ready. 18 But they all alike began to make excuses and to beg off. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of land, and I have to go out and see it; I beg you, have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to examine and [e]put my approval on them; I beg you, have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and because of this I am unable to come. Luke 14:15 AMPC
We see that the man imagined what life would be like after crossing the finish line with Jesus but perhaps was not prepared to actually enter into the race and become an active particpant himself. After this parable, Jesus explains the cost that one must pay in order to actually experience this paradise that we often fantasize about. (Luke 14:26-35)
All over the world as well as in the Bible, we see that choosing Christ means giving up on the idea of a perfect life to follow after a perfect Savior.
38 [Men] of whom the world was not worthy—roaming over the desolate places and the mountains, and [living] in caves and caverns and holes of the earth. 39 And all of these, though they won divine approval by [means of] their faith, did not receive the fulfilment of what was promised, 40 Because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we could join them]. Hebrews 11:38-40 AMPC
On the surface, it seems as though it is only the people in nations that aren't persecuted who aren't forced to give up their cozy lives. However, the truth is that the people who are in persecuted nations are not forced to abandon everything they know, either. It is actually a choice that one freely makes to not go along with the flow or with what's "normal" in the eyes of society as a result of their love for Christ.
Oftentimes the people in foreign nations are praised for what they are willing to endure for Christ. However, it is actually not the country that determines the difficulty of the Christian's life but rather the love of Christ that determines the level of difficulty they face. The Scriptures say, all those who seek to live Godly lives will be persecuted. This statement assures that love for Christ, expressed through the actions of the believer, will bring difficulty -- no matter the time or place, to all those who are not led by their flesh in the endless pursuit of vanity.
12 Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand]. 2 Timothy 3:12 AMPC
The Scripture also says that Jesus was already in Heaven beside God, but His love and submission to God led Him away from His throne into a place where He would be tortured, despised and, ultimately, crucified.
Jesus Himself says that one of the reasons God loves Him is because He freely laid down His life. (John 10:17)
5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] 6 Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [[a]possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not [b]think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped [c] orretained, 7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and [d]rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. 8 And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! 9 Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has [e]freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, Philippians 2:5-9 AMPC
We also see that with Paul, it was his love for Christ that compeled him to go to places in which he knew that he would be beat and imprisoned. This was not something Paul was forced into but rather a choice. He considered it an honor to suffer and struggle with Christ.
22 And now, you see, I am going to Jerusalem, bound by the [Holy] Spirit and obligated and compelled by the [convictions of my own] spirit, not knowing what will befall me there— 23 Except that the Holy Spirit clearly and emphatically affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me. 24 But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel) of God’s grace (His unmerited favor, spiritual blessing, and mercy). Acts 20:22-24 AMPC
There wouldn't be enough time to tell the story of every individual that chose the fire or the lions or to live in caves, suffering for God or the people of God. We see that those men and women in Hebrews suffered and now they are being glorified alongside Christ Himself. (Hebrews 11)
25 Because he preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life. 26 He considered the contempt and abuse and shame [borne for] the Christ (the Messiah Who was to come) to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt, for he looked forward and away to the reward (recompense). 27 [Motivated] by faith he left Egypt behind him, being unawed and undismayed by the wrath of the king; for he never flinched but held staunchly to his purpose and endured steadfastly as one who gazed on Him Who is invisible. Hebrews 11:25-27 AMPC
Jesus was not the only one preaching in His time. However, the Pharisees and Saducees had watered down the commandments of God enough to coexist with the government of Rome. Although Rome was known for corrupting and polluting the world, the people who professed to know God had no problem standing side by side with them.
Unfortunately, we see this today in America as well. Many of those who profess to know God are standing hand and hand with a government known to disrespect Him. The truth is that the "prosperity" of Egypt was temporary. So was the "glory" of the Roman empire. It's fall, however, was permanent.
Professing to know God is not what separated Jesus from the preachers of His time. The seperation came when Jesus preached and then lived and died for what He belived in. The ultimate separation was shown when He preached and then dwelt among the people He preached to, putting on a cloak of humility. The greatest sermon ever taught by Jesus had little to do with His mouth and everything to do with the nails in His hands. If this same Jesus has our hearts, people will know it by our hands, not merely our mouths.
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:50-54 AMPC
Question of the day: Would Jesus Christ consider you to be a blood-sucking leech?
29 How much worse (sterner and heavier) punishment do you suppose he will be judged to deserve who has spurned and [thus] trampled underfoot the Son of God, and who has considered the covenant blood by which he was consecrated common and unhallowed, thus profaning it and insulting and outraging the [Holy] Spirit [Who imparts] grace (the unmerited favor and blessing of God)? Hebrews 10:29 AMPC
