Let's reflect one, last time on the question, "Am I a fan or a follower of Jesus?"  I put the question in the first person singular, because I want each of us to ask the question of ourselves.  Am I a follower of Jesus?  I've been praying about that, thinking about that, and talking about that with others all week.  I hope you have, too.   The answer I keep coming up with is--yes.   Yes, I am a fan or a follower of Jesus and it depends on the time and the place which it is.  For the most part, I am a follower of Jesus.   I have denied myself for much of each day and followed Him. 

Then comes the moment when I don't follow Him, when I turn aside, get distracted, or succumb to a temptation.  In that moment am I a fan, or a distracted or ineffective follower?  It struck me last night during L.I.F.E. group that a fan is an observer, while a follower is a participant.   or ineffective follower?  It struck me last night during L.I.F.E. group that a fan is an observer, while a follower is a participant.  By  that definition I'm much more of a follower than a fan.  I don't sit back and watch, while others "play the game."  Maybe that's the confusion some of you have had this week, too.   You've been thinking, "I don't always follow Jesus WELL, so  I must be a fan.  The truth is even the "best" followers of Jesus fail Him.  Even the "best" followers of Jesus take detours.  The reason "best" is in quotes is that apart from the Holy Spirit's empowering work in our lives, there is no best in our lives.

I've been greatly encouraged this week as I've participated in two L.I.F.E. groups and a Bible study, and have had conversations with a number of others among you to hear your desire to be more effective, more committed and deeper followers of Jesus.  That's my desire, too, for me and for all of us.  My prayer is that wherever we are on the spectrum, from not even a follower to a fully-devoted follower of Jesus that we will move deeper in our commitment to Jesus during these six weeks, and that we'll let those in our spheres of influence see it and know it.  As we do, Jesus will be glorified and His Kingdom will grow, and that is the goal!

Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for moving so many of us to take a closer look at our relationships with Jesus, and to defining it more carefully.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may live fully for Him.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.