A few days ago, I was blessed to celebrate my 50th birthday! Now, depending on your chapter in life, you may burst out laughing and say something like, “You are just a little pup!” Or, you may read these words and think I am ancient. I receive both reactions when I reveal my age when talking to others. Either way, I am more than thankful to have reached this age of my life. By nature, I am a reflective person. I look back at previous birthday celebrations and decades of the past, and realize my maturity or immaturity and hope to simply be better in all areas of my life. With this reflection, I see the turning point in my life of improvement was reading of, learning of, and walking with Jesus! None of us are perfect, but we can be faithful (Rev. 2:10). Fifty years of reflection has caused me to look at fifty reasons why I follow Jesus.
1. He is The Savior of the world. 2. He is The Son of God. 3. He is a King. 4. He is The author & finisher of our faith. 5. He is Emmanuel (God with us). 6. He is Alpha & Omega. 7. He is The True Vine. 8. He is The High Priest. 9. He is an Advocate. 10. He is Lord. 11. He is a prophet. 12. He is a Teacher from God. 13. He is Christ, the Son of the living God. 14. He is Wonderful in His pre-existence. 15. He is Wonderful in His birth. 16. He is Wonderful in His perfect life. 17. He is Wonderful in His doctrine & truth. 18. He is Wonderful in His sacrifice. 19. He is Wonderful in His resurrection. 20. He is Wonderful in His plan & redemption. 21. He is Wonderful in His forgiveness. 22. He is Wonderful in His love. 23. He is Wonderful in His Grace. 24. He is Wonderful in His promise to return. 25. He is The Only Begotten Son. 26. He is a sinless person. 27. He is special because no one spoke as He did. 28. He is exclusive because He died for everyone. 29. He is known for His performance of miracles. 30. He is known for being raised from the dead. 31. He is alive forever more. 32. He is coming back again. 33. He is known for His example that we should all follow. 34. He is loved because of His sacrifice for everyone. 35. He gave up the glory of Heaven. 36. He gave up His divine image. 37. He gave His life. 38. He was forsaken by His friends. 39. He was despised & rejected. 40. He was betrayed & denied. 41. He was mocked. 42. He felt forsaken by God. 43. He suffered great distress & agony. 44. He endured great physical pain. 45. He was scourged. 46. He bore the cross. 47. He was crucified. 48. He loves me. 49. He is always there for me when I have made mistakes. 50. He wants all of us to be saved.
I could go on and on with the reasons I not only follow Jesus, but love Jesus! I have struggles, make mistakes, and I am far from what I need to be in many areas of my life. But, because of Jesus, I can begin anew each day and seek to be stronger today than I was the previous day. Jesus teaches me that Him being perfect is a reminder I don’t have to be perfect.
