Discipleship when you don’t feel like it.
Being in love is a wonderful feeling. But it is a feeling, and feelings are not reliable. They come and go, ebb and flow and change with any number of influences. People in strong relationships enjoy being in love, but maintain a commitment to one another when they don’t feel that way. The love that holds them together is not an emotion, but a commitment to faithfulness. It works, because this is how God designed us.
Disciples of Jesus have a similar relationship with Him. In fact, the most common metaphor in scripture for our relationship with Him is marriage. Sometimes we feel “in love” and it is a great feeling! But it is still a feeling. What is a disciple of Jesus to do when s/he doesn’t feel that love of Jesus? We respond out of true devotion to the person Jesus. And that devotion expresses itself in obedience. As I have quoted in many of these blogs, John tells us the way to love Jesus is to obey Him (1 John 5:3).
So, what is the disciple of Jesus to do when—not if, but when—we aren’t feeling it? Do we just say “I’m not in love with Him anymore” and go our way? Some do, and their lives show it! There is another option. When we realize we aren’t feeling the way we have in the past, the best thing we can do is intentionally and purposely obey Him. It doesn’t matter how, as long as it is obedience to Him. It isn’t to make Him love us—He already does. It isn’t to gain forgiveness—that is based in His faithfulness, not ours (1 John 1:9).
It is saying to Him, Lord, my feelings aren’t reliable, but I know what you have done for me and I want to love you. So, accept my act of obedience as love. Then obey Him by loving others. By serving others. By praying. By giving. By sharing. Obey Him because that is what a disciple does. And when you do, you may find that the feelings come back.
Devotion to Jesus isn’t based on how we feel! It is a loving response to the One who Has first loved us!
Know Jesus and Be Faithful!
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