If Jesus Were Lord

Luke 6:46-49

Why do you keep calling me “Lord, Lord!” when you don’t do what I say? (Luke 6:46)

IMAGINE JESUS APPEARING TO YOU and saying, “I appreciate your efforts, but I’ll be making all the decisions in your life now. I’m going to rearrange some things. I’ll teach you the values, impart the gifts, and lead you in the purposes of my Kingdom. You will have a different perspective soon, but I think you’ll like it. You’re going to love your new life.”

What do you think your life would look like if Jesus were given free rein in it? It’s an interesting question that should guide us daily already. After all, he is Lord, and he is supposed to be leading us and shaping us even now. But the fact that we can imagine what it would be like if he were truly Lord over our lives, and that in doing so we picture something different from what we are experiencing now, suggests that we are not completely submitted to his lordship. We call him Lord without actually treating him as Lord.

One of the best things you can do in your growth as a follower of Jesus is to ask yourself the question, What would life look like if . . . ? The question works for your personal life, your family, your work, and any other area of life. If Jesus were in charge of the situation, how would he rearrange it? The exercise of asking and envisioning the answer goes a long way toward developing a Kingdom perspective in your heart. At some point, the perspective leads to action. You may even find out that Jesus is rearranging your life to be more consistent with his nature and his plans. The question can lead to significant change.

In language very similar to today’s verse, Jesus gave a pretty specific example of his rearranging tendencies. He washed his disciples’ feet and told them to follow his example by doing the same for each other (John 13:13-15). But that’s just the beginning. Ask him to redesign your personal world, inside and out. Let him rearrange your perspective. Experience what it means for him to truly be Lord of your life.

{Jesus, I may never follow you perfectly, but I don’t want to follow you halfheartedly. Answer my question of what life would look like with you as Lord with real experiences. Rearrange my life as you see fit. Amen.