are you a follower or an admirer?

“If this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” 

// Acts 5:38

First off, the person who is speaking in this verse is named Gamaliel which sounds like something epic from The Lord of the Rings and is therefore important to point out.

But, all joking aside, this verse is a must-memorize! Cuz here’s the thing:

1. I worry a lot.
2. You probably do too.
3. Especially in THESE crazy days.

There’s so much darkness in the world right now. But, repeat after me: if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail.

But people are trying to take away the innocence of children! If this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail.

But people are believing all kinds of terrible lies about Christians and good people! If this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail.

But our freedom of speech is being attacked! If this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail.

But . . . but . . . but . . .

No buts. The only buts that should come from our mouth involve turning a sentence around to the glory of God. I may not have as many rights as I did five years ago, but if this is of God I won’t be able to overthrow it.

Wait . . . back up. Losing my rights could possibly be something of God?

In short, yes.

In Live Not by Lies written by Rod Dreher, there’s a whole chapter dedicated to the aptly named “Gift of Suffering.” Ugh. Not something we want to think about, right?

Americans definitely worship the God of comfort way too much.

I attest to this!! It all started in 2018. I could find no joy, no beauty in life, and then I stumbled into the world of comfort. Comfort to me looked a like like an ideal Instagram feed. I suddenly lived for coziness: candles, baths, bundling up in a cozy blanket after school, even a coffee from my favorite shop multiple times a week.

And, of course, we must get the ever-present disclaimer: baths and cozy blankets aren’t bad in and of themselves. It’s when we must have them over anything else—over devotions, homework, friends, family, even discomfort like a workout—that they become idols.

Dreher blatantly states that “If we latter-day believers are not able and willing to be faithful in the relatively small trials we face now, there is no reason to think we will have what it takes to endure serious persecution in the future.”

In fact, scurrying away from suffering is actually “because the Evil One wants to persuade us that there is a life without suffering.”

Willingness to suffer, Dreher points out, is what makes the difference between an admirer and a follower of Jesus. Many have admired Jesus; Pilate, the rich young ruler, perhaps even Nebuchadnezzar.

A true follower says,

• Yes, this is scary, but if it’s of man, it WILL fail. My role is to rejoice in God’s victory over His enemies.
• Yes, this is scary, but if it’s of God, it WILL prevail. My role is to praise God even through the suffering and trust His heart.

Let’s not be like Peter chopping off the soldier’s ear; Gamaliel warns that we may be found opposing God if we don’t approach situations carefully and correctly!

God is in every situation, asking us to stop passively admiring and to instead start following.