Have You Ever Thought About Where You'd Be Without Jesus?

Reflection of red blooming trees on a pond in Spring — Gazing at this beautiful view, with the trees reflecting in the pond, had me thinking about the fact that we are supposed to reflect Jesus living and working in our lives… Then my thoughts shifted to ponder all that Jesus has done for me! ~ Photo courtesy of the author.

I wonder, “Have you ever thought about where you would be without Jesus?” I’m certain that this might seem like a strange thing to ask, but this subject has resonated through my mind all weekend. You see, I slowed down the rat race of my life in an effort to enjoy the beautiful weather and relax a bit. As I did so, I took my coffee, my journal, and my Bible and sat outside to enjoy the warmth of the day and see what inspiration might come to mind for a column. After a while, I turned on praise and worship music, and found myself thinking a lot about what Jesus has done for me. Devotions and songs were reminders of God’s amazing grace towards me, and had me embracing thoughts of all the things my relationship with Jesus has made possible.

Thinking About My Relationship With Jesus

Firstly, let me say that I am not actually pondering what my life would’ve looked like if I had never known the love of Jesus. Instead, I am filtering my thoughts through the lens of what knowing Jesus as my Savior truly means. Honestly, I’m not sure my mind can even truly fathom where I might actually be without Him, and I’m not sure I would ever want to see that picture.

Secondly, there is really no way that I can ever truly recall all of the great things Jesus has made possible in my life. As I considered writing about what I was feeling, I recognized the fact that one thing is indelibly true: I am guilty of not being thankful enough!

Thirdly, let me say that thoughts of how I even came to know about Jesus, plays such an important part in my life. God strategically laid out plans for my life, that thankfully included family who loved Jesus and wanted to impart their faith with me. I’ll be forever grateful for God’s mercy, grace and provision!

A Heritage that Taught Me About Jesus

It’s impossible not to think about how blessed I am to have been taught about Jesus from an early age! Anytime I think about my relationship with Jesus, and ponder where it all began, my mind shifts to thoughts of my grandparents. They responsibly took me to church every chance they got, even into my teen years.

They would drive out of there way to pick me up, and take me home anytime I could go. And let me be clarify this a little more, so you might see the significance of their efforts, because it wasn’t a once a week trip for them!

My grandparent were at church anytime the doors were open, which was at the very least: Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. More often than not, they also attended Saturday night singings, and traveled to revivals on weeknights as well, and I was with them most all of the time.

Childhood Memories are Precious Reminders of How I Came to Know Jesus

Many of my childhood memories revolve around my Granny and Papa Chastain. I loved them dearly, and loved spending time with them whenever I could. Without a doubt, I also felt loved by them too!

Being with my grandparents and watching them live out their faith, impacted my life more than I realized at that time. They instilled in me the desire to know Jesus as my Savior, and it was the best decision I ever made.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, they were actually being faithful servants, sharing the Gospel, just as Jesus commands for all of us to do. Memories flood my mind of car rides to church with my Papa singing songs as Granny drove along. Always, the song, “I’ll Fly Away,” pops into my mind because it was one of his favorites.

I loved singing in the choir with my Papa, and asking him to request for the choir to sing my favorite songs. I can almost see his precious grin, as he was happy to oblige! (Yes, things were different back then, and in our small country church, you could actually decide what to sing on the spot! I wouldn’t trade those times for anything!)

Honestly, I may have been a little spoiled to say the least, and admittedly out of their twenty-three grandchildren at that time, I loved to call myself their “favorite” just for the fun of it, and to poke fun at the cousins. But the truth is, they loved us all, and they loved Jesus! A huge thanks goes out to them for all they done for me, and I know I will see them again in Heaven one day, and together we will celebrate throughout all eternity!

Overwhelmed With Gratefulness for All That Jesus Has Done For Me

As my thoughts return to the present, I just feel an overwhelming gratefulness for so many things that Jesus has made possible in my life. There is absolutely no way that I could begin to list them all, or have the ability to praise Him enough.

The ability to call on Jesus name is an amazing gift! His name is powerful and above all other’s and I can pray, ask and believe in the authority of Jesus’ name! Thank You Jesus!

Jesus paid the price for my every sin, and my every mistake, and He chose to follow His Father’s will in order to make a way for me to be saved. He faced death on the cross of Calvary, He suffered, and He was mocked and ridiculed, and He endured all of that for me. He defeated death, hell and the grave, He rose again, and He sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding on my behalf. I am so undeserving…Thank You Jesus!

The great news is that Jesus did all of that same stuff for you too! I pray you Believe and accept Him as your Savior! He’s waiting for you to call on His name… Today can be the day of your Salvation! I pray that if you do not know Jesus yet, you will!

There’s Nothing You or I Could Ever Do to Earn Forgiveness

Trust me when I say, “I do not deserve any of God’s favor, or mercy!” I am not saved by doing good works, or achieving things that I think God has for me to do. No, not at all.

I just have a heart that wants to please God, and one day hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”

Only Jesus makes forgiveness possible, and the fact that He done all of that for me never really leaves my mind. Nothing I have ever done, nor will ever do, could earn such “AMAZING GRACE!” Thank You Jesus!

Romans 5:8 ESV says, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Thank You Jesus! ~ I Love You Jesus!

Sometimes it is really nice to slow things down, and just take a walk, and consider all of the great things Jesus has done for me! I’m so very grateful Jesus! ~ Picture courtesy of the author.

I pray this column reaches hearts and lives for Jesus! I have written and shared about how to be saved in other columns and I am including a link to one here… Please take time to consider giving your heart to Jesus! Have a blessed day!