I don’t remember where I read that question, but it’s been rattling around in my brain for a while. As I watched the play-offs and all things Superbowl, I have a few thoughts. I am a fan of “Sports Ball”, as Kelly Clarkson calls it. I know enough to get by and can yell with the best of them. I have some teams I favor, Yankees being one. I pick the football team I want to win by who has the prettiest helmets. Dean thinks “pretty” and “football” should not be in same sentence. Whatever.

But I am not a follower. I do not know all the players or their statistics, but Dean does. I don’t remember who won the Superbowl last year or all the things they talk about, but Dean does. I’m interested but not invested.

When I saw that question, I had to ask myself am I a fan or follower of Jesus?

Jesus was very clear about what it takes to follow Him and I think we lose people because of it.

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me,
let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”
Luke 9:23 esv

Jesus isn’t playing when He says we will suffer and that there is a cost with following Him.

I think we can become disenchanted with being a true follower of Jesus when the cost gets too high. When we face opposition from people or circumstances, a severe disappointment, a hurt or offense or many other things we walk through in this life. And that can keep us in the ‘Fan Zone’.

“…suffering isn’t a pitstop on the way to great glory, prosperity,
victory and ‘blessings’. Instead a destination in and of itself
where we are invited into the sacred fellowship and friendship
with our God who is deeply, personally fluent in suffering.” ~ Lisa Jo Baker”

The thing that keeps me from fully following Jesus is my sin. It makes being a true follower of Jesus very costly. It is those moments that I can go back to being a fan because that doesn’t require me to face my own life.

“Today, may God deliver us from the delusion
that He has become casual about our sin
simply because we have become comfortable with it.”
~ Mike Kelsey

I know, for me, I have been feeling a call to go deeper and be more consistent in my walk with Jesus. And I want to be fully all-in following Jesus. And that includes e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. I am, I have, I do, I dream, I say.

“To the Jews who had believed him,
Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching,
you are my disciples.’”
~ John 8:34

If you had to pick, would you be a fan or a follower?
If there is an area in our lives that makes us a fan, let’s deal with it and follow Jesus with all our heart!

Have an amazing day!
All My Love,
xo Jodi

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