More of Jesus. That’s all I want. Apparently that’s all he wants for me as well. He said so this morning in our time on the beach together. As I was preparing my thoughts to write this final reflection, God reminded me of something he spoke into my spirit a season back:
“If you write conviction, Elaine, you’d better live conviction or else be prepared for conviction to find its way to your table.”
As I reflected on his admonishment, I realized that before one word could be written for this final reflection—a series based on the practice of “breaking our fast” from Jesus and receiving from his hand—I must come to the shore and to his fire in order to receive that feeding.
So I did. I found my way to the couch, pulled a blanket around me, and sat before the flickering flames and crackling warmth of God’s breakfast fire. My centered attention on Christ’s gaze was real, poignant, sweet, and tender. I could hardly find my voice, but when I did, all that came out was a simple question…
“What’s next, God?”
And without hesitation he answered back in my spirit…
“I’m next.”
A simple two-word response that has the capacity to change my “next” because when my “next” is wrapped around Jesus, all is right and well with my soul.
“I’m next” is not so far from what he told Peter and the rest of those eavesdroppers on that morning stroll following breakfast.
“Follow me” and “I’m next” are phrases in keeping with sacred discipleship. We cannot forsake Christ’s earlier three-fold command to Peter to “feed my sheep,” but as so often is the case when reading John 21, we stay focused on Peter’s re-commissioning without ever moving forward to Christ’s final words of encouragement.
“Follow me!”
What does that look like for us 2000 years down the road? How are we to “follow after” the Christ who cannot be physically heard, seen, touched, and therefore, followed after most concretely? Is it just a game of cat-and-mouse, hit-or-miss when it comes to walking in the shadows of the Divine? How in the world do we find him in the midst of the distraction that fills our days?
A few ways…
First, turn off the noise in your life. Literally. Shut it off and find some quiet in your day. I don’t have to imagine how noisy your life is. Mine has given me an ample window of understanding. The Shepherd’s voice is most clearly detected when it is given the full benefit of the stage. Give him the stage, friends, the single spotlight and your undivided attention in your thoughts. How he longs for his voice to resonate in the uncluttered hallways of your expectation.
Two, look for his Presence. See where he is at work, and move in for closer observation. Where are you seeing the evidence of God’s Spirit moving in your day to day? It may not be something big. His work may be manifesting its witness in small measure in the life of someone you know. God’s not just after big, friends. Remember this post? It’s the small and near that collect and gather to leave an enduring, everlasting impact on the life of an individual and, ultimately, the world. Move yourself to the place where God is working, and add your heart and hands to serving the kingdom cause in that place.
Third, place yourself on a believing path. Put your life and the lives of those who sit under your influence in close proximity to other believers. Why? Because where two or three are gathered in his name, he promises to be there as well. One of the reasons we “do church” in our family is not because we have an obligation to religion, but rather because we have an obligation to relationship—with other believers and, consequently, with Jesus Christ. I’m counting on the fact that when I enter the doors of church (or other venues where Christians gather), my Jesus-lovin’-Holy-Spirit-walkin’ self is going to come in contact with at least one or two other Jesus-lovin’-Holy-Spirit-walkin’ people. When that happens, God’s presence is activated in a way that doesn’t happen when we choose the road of isolation. I want to be in the path of Jesus. I want to be headed in his direction even as he is headed in mine.
Thus, as we receive Christ’s directive to “follow me!” we’re going to move our flesh into a posture of active obedience that will aid our ability to follow through with his admonishment. Kingdom living doesn’t come without our obedience, and our obedience doesn’t walk in isolation from the King. He hasn’t left us to ourselves in the matter of our kingdom conferment. He’s dispatched his Spirit on our behalves so that we, like the disciples, can victoriously follow hard after him into our “next.”
He’s our “next” friends, and wherever you go from this point forward in your journey with Jesus, keep the hem of his garment within reach. Never lose sight of his shadow; never grow deaf to his voice. Do whatever you have to do to make sure that your next steps land you smack-dab in the middle of your Savior’s day. He is where we’re headed. He is where I live. Even so, I heartily reply to his breakfast invitation…
Be my “next,” Lord Jesus, not just in this moment, but in the next one that follows that one. And the next, and the next, and the next, until my “next” finally lands me on the shores of Canaan and in the physical reality of your Presence forever. Amen. So be it.
peace for the journey,
~elaine
Copyright © March 2010 – Elaine Olsen
Good morning, Elaine. Indeed a timely word for me. What next? Its a question we ask all the time. I asked Him that very question not long before. And He answered, 'Do what I told you to do and keep at it.' In other words, when we have obeyed what He has requested of us for the present, He will grant us the 'next'. I love Him for His faithful and I will follow Him….to the next until…He calls me HOME where there will be no NEXT!
Love and hugs,
Gladwell
Basically, "next" was the summary of my learning at the labyrinth yesterday. It was not a maze where I had to make a choice of which route to take…simply, it was mine to put one foot in front of the other. The path was predetermined! No distraction of am I making a good decision? No worry that I would wander off path. Just walk in the path. "God, you will show me the path of life and fullness of joy in your presence…."
I want to respond one day to a sentence in YOUR response re. "mentor". Not today.
Hello, my friend. This is a beautiful post. I'm going to do my best to turn off the noise in my life today. You have given voice to something that has been whispered in my heart lately…but I've ignored. Shame on me. I'm going to give Him the spotlight.
Thank you and hugs!
That just about covers it all doesn't it?
I'm next!
Follow me!
What a great wrap up at the 'beach' this morning Elaine.
And our 'next' is coming 'as we follow'… I really like that! Maybe best of all I like "I am next"… the answer to all of our what's and why's and when's…
"…keep the hem of his garment within reach." Love the image these words convey, Elaine. Always staying close enough to Jesus to keep Him within arm's reach…
"More of Jesus. That’s all I want."
Me too. I also like the advice to turn off the noise in my life so I can hear Him.
Thank you!
"Next…"
Great message to ponder and to take action. I always appreciate you and your heart to share with us which draws us closer to our LORD and hearing what He would have us to be and do. Amen!!
Love you!!
Oh so true and needed this Friday. thank you for always being a blessing.
Elaine, you said: "A simple two-word response that has the capacity to change my “next” because when my “next” is wrapped around Jesus, all is right and well with my soul.
Move yourself to the place where God is working, and add your heart and hands to serving the kingdom cause in that place.
I want to be headed in his direction even as he is headed in mine. Thus, as we receive Christ’s directive to “follow me!” we’re going to move our flesh into a posture of active obedience that will aid our ability to follow through with his admonishment. He’s dispatched his Spirit on our behalves so that we, like the disciples, can victoriously follow hard after him into our “next.” He is where we’re headed. He is where I live. Even so, I heartily reply to his breakfast invitation…"
I say: "Yes, LORD. Lead me on LORD." Praise You Jesus!
Oh, I want Him to be next in my life! I want Him to all in my life.
I just love this, Elaine. It just points us straight to Jesus and even shows us how to find ourselves in His presence.
From God's mouth to your "Jesus-lovin'-Holy-Spirit-walkin'" heart.
Love you – Beth
Oh my goodness Elaine….any words I write are inadequate to express my response to this…
I will be returning to this again and again…as I'm returning to Him…I've been gone too long…
Hugs,
Joy
Beautiful conclusion to this breakfast…
"He is where we’re headed. He is where I live."…amen to that!
This post reminds me of this hymn…
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
“Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.”
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow;
I’ll go with Him, with Him, all the way.
This has been a wonderful series, Elaine. Thanks for helping us to see John 21 with new insight.
Love you, my friend…
at the Christian camp by kids
went to, the question, "what
next?" was always met with
"w.a.f.o."
wait and find out.
. . . which is pretty good advice
for us, too.
if He IS next, then i am happy to
w.a.f.o.
such a sweet admonition from
you today.
thank you
It's been awhile since I've been over here –awhile since I've been on many blogs with family visiting and the new job etc. But I'm glad you visited and it caused me to come by.
"I'm next."
I've been asking what's next for six weeks now as I go to a job I literally hate–the kind of job where I need to take a deep breath to just walk through the doors–into chaos and hurtful spirits.
I hate it and I've been asking "what's next," cause I want out of this mess.
Your words in this post were what I needed to read this morning–to get me through until Monday when the awfulness starts up again and I have to gear myself up to go where I'd rather not be.
I will hang on to your words. Cause I believe He is next like you said –and in everything I do. I just needed a little more of a push to see it. And some big help.
Thanks and may your weekend be wonderful!
hi elaine,
thank you for visiting. i loved
your 'welcome' comment.
i should have clarified that, yes,
sunday is one of our daughters.
Thanks Elaine, this really resonated with me. Too much alone time with God, not enough 'together' time with other Spirit filled believers…
Wow! So much richness to chew on!
your mention of "good-bye" on my
leprechaun posting seemed to be
full of sorrow.
i am praying that the consolation of
israel will overflow you with His balm.
blessings,
lea
I seem to find more life in my quiet times with Him. The next can often be daunting. Here a very late Sunday evening…what next…the morning, lunches, backpacks, school and then what is next…God has that plan ready if we are there to see, hear, and then follow. I kind of have to hang onto His garment for the simple fact that I am easily distracted and don't want to lose Him in the many "next" moments. Love and blessings, elizabeth
Wonderful post here Elaine!
Looking into His face, listening to the cadence of His heart and lingering in His presence awaiting further instructions for the "NEXT" season in my journey!!
And yes…..I've been really feeling the call to turn off the noise! Thank you for reminding me about that – I must obey His leading and draw into the precious silence with Him!
Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
Powerful and profound. I can't help but think of how He seeks out, and will return to, a bride without spot or wrinkle. The "what next?" is then forever and always: "I'm next!"
Better still: "I'm now!!".
Where else would we go, Lord? You have the words of life.
Blessings,
Kathleen