The Upside Down Life

 The call to follow Jesus is a call to have a total different set up priorities than people who do not align with Jesus. Those people can be selfish. We are to called to live selflessly. The world values getting to the top. Jesus modeled descending from heaven. The world exalts fame and fortune. We are to exult in sacrifice and doing good without notoriety. The world executes vengeance on enemies. We prize grace and forgiveness. 

Jesus modeled an upside down life. He had no place to lay His head. He loved people others shunned. He helped those others stepped over and looked past. Jesus came to bless others and not to be blessed. He promoted building the kingdom of God and not an earthly kingdom. He taught to turn the other cheek when slapped. He taught to store up treasures in heaven and not on earth. He taught to pray in secret where the Father sees, and not in public to be noticed and praised by people for eloquent petitions. He promoted and modeled servanthood rather than being served. He taught people to live in the light and not hide in the shadows to hide evil deeds. He condemned hypocrisy, but was favorable toward contrition. 

He calls us to be crucified to the world and the world crucified to us. We are called to value Him the most and count everything else as loss. To count our lives as nothing so that we might fulfill the call He puts on our lives. To learn to live contented in a world where people are never satisfied. Jesus calls us to fast while the world gorges on bountiful feasts. He calls us to follow Him and not the crowd. He calls us to live in holiness and morally while the world indulges in immorality. He calls us to covenant marriage while the world says have multiple sexual partners and live together without marital bonds. Jesus teaches us to give our money away while the world says hoard all you can. Jesus modeled surrender to His Father and His Father's will even when it meant going to the cross. The world values comfort, ease, and enjoying in temporary pleasures. 

The upside down life is not radical. It is normal for followers of Jesus. The people of faith compromised and blurred moral absolutes, and watered down the commands of God to blend it with the world. Churches do the same to attract crowds. The upside down life has impact. The upside down life consists of convictions. The upside down life requires courage to live with a different set of values and priorities. The upside down life may lead to risk rather than security. The upside down life will lead to faith steps that defy reason. The upside down life may lead to martyrdom. Jesus prized those who laid down their lives rather than trying to preserve it. 

Following Jesus is the upside down life. It is the life I love and long to live more. Living upside down will put you at odds with family, friends, and eventually even the government. A time will come when the people of God will have to count the cost for faithfully standing with and serving Jesus. We will have to choose whether we will conform to the world or choose to live upside down. Choose carefully. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord and live upside down.