What If We've Been Starting in the Wrong Place?
Living Commissioned Journal #1
Can I ask you a question?
When you think about following Jesus, what's the first thing that comes to mind?
Sharing your faith?
Reading your Bible?
Going to church?
Serving?
Giving?
Praying?
None of those are bad answers.
But what if we've been trained to begin with what we do instead of who Jesus is?
I've been thinking about that a lot.
It seems like so much of the conversation around following Christ quickly becomes about doing more. More knowledge. More ministry. More serving. More programs. More activity.
Yet when I read the Gospels, Jesus didn't first invite people into activity.
He invited them to Himself.
Before the disciples preached, they walked with Him.
Before they made disciples, they became His disciples.
Before they were sent, they learned to sit at His feet.
That order matters.
Sometimes I wonder if our frustration isn't because we're trying to live the Christian life without first slowing down long enough to behold the One we're following.
The more clearly we see Jesus, the more naturally our lives begin to change.
Mission isn't supposed to be something we force.
It's something that overflows from knowing the King.
Maybe that's why so many believers feel exhausted.
We've become really good at asking, "What should I do next?"
But maybe the better question is, "Who is Jesus inviting me to know more deeply today?"
Because who Christ is changes everything.
His holiness changes how I view sin.
His grace changes how I view failure.
His compassion changes how I see people.
His authority changes how I make decisions.
His mission changes how I spend my life.
Following Jesus has never been about checking boxes.
It's about walking with the King.
And when you truly begin to know the King, you'll discover that He changes not only where you're going—but who you're becoming.
That journey is what Living Commissioned is all about.
Pause and Consider
When you think about following Jesus, do you naturally think about Him—or about what you're supposed to do?
Has your walk with Christ become more about activity than relationship?
What would change if you spent this week intentionally focusing on who Jesus is before asking what He wants you to do?
I'd love to hear your thoughts. What comes to mind when you hear the phrase Living Commissioned?