What does it mean for me to follow Jesus? If I think about it in daily life, nitty-gritty terms, it looks something like this:

• I would stop worrying about the church and would not confuse it with Jesus or his kingdom. I would realize following Jesus is a personal matter and it is my responsibility to live in his ways as I go about my regular daily life. Community is vital, but how I follow Jesus is up to me.
•  I wouldn’t be afraid to “speak truth to power,” whether the “power” is the church, the government, the corporate world, or politically correct ideologies. I also wouldn’t be surprised if it makes some people pretty mad.
• I would make it a point to seek out those who need a little help or a little love and I would be their friend. That takes an intentional daily focus as I become more aware of the people I meet in the normal course of life.
• I would become an all-out people-person who is highly interested in individuals and their stories. I would become a conversationalist, a great listener, a good asker of questions, and I would be honest about my own failures.
• I would become a big-time parties, attending and hosting lots of parties and gatherings. I would know how to have a good time and how to help people have a good time.
• I would be a “hugger” and be more sensitive to people’s real needs. I would take risks to do something to help people.
• I would help make their day a little brighter and I would be with them in their darkest times.
• I would become a better storyteller because of the sheer power of a meaningful story.
• I would invest heavily in the most important people in my life.
• I would look for chances to surprise people with grace.
• I would look for new opportunities to connect with people who take me outside of my comfort zone.
• I would believe Jesus is who he said he was and I would not try to earn his favor but would bask in his love and grace.
• I would devote my life to learning to love people like he did.

From my book, An Irreligious Faith

Image: Wikimedia Commons.