Much of my prayer time lately has revolved around what it means to be interested in following Jesus versus what it means to be committed to following Jesus.

And what is coming to light is this: it is not enough to simply be interested in following Jesus. Jesus asks that we commit to Him. That we follow Him. That we live our lives as He lived His. And when we commit to living as He did, we encounter and endure much of the same pain, hardship, and difficulty that He did, too.

The Gospel today prompts me to reflect even further: how far am I willing to go in my commitment to Jesus? How much am I willing to bear for the sake of His name? How uncomfortable am I willing to become so that He may be glorified? For many of us, persecution will not come in a life-or-death situation, but instead, in the day-to-day ordinary moments of our lives.

Maybe it’s standing up for a person in class that always gets picked on. Maybe it’s saying something in the staff lunch room when the gossip picks up. Maybe it’s making the Sign of the Cross in front of people we don’t know when we’re out to dinner. Maybe it’s reminding a friend of her inherit worth, dignity, and value. Maybe we are uncomfortable, but so was He.

It’s so easy to take interest in following Jesus. But it’s so hard to actually commit to the way we are called to live: “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you . . ." (John 15:20). I no longer want to be surprised when my commitment to Him and His way makes me uncomfortable. I no longer want to fall into only being interested in following Him when things get tough.

And sisters, what’s more is this: we were not made for comfort, but for greatness. Let’s live wholeheartedly committed today.

[bctt tweet="Jesus asks that we commit to Him." username="blessedisshe__"]

Have you made a Marian consecration? It's a distinct way to grow closer to your commitment to Our Lord. Read more about it on our blog.

Shalini Blubaugh is a Minnesota transplant living in Denver, Colorado with her sweet husband, Matt, their brand new gal pal, Callan, and quite large GSD pup, Sully. She is a health coach and loves pizza, because #balance. Shalini graduated from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, served with NET Ministries, and went on to attend Law School. She graduated with her J.D. and happily leaves all things Law behind! Some of her favorites include travel, re-connecting with old friends and making new ones, the ways in which God so beautifully brings all things full circle in His time, and a good, loud thunderstorm. Find out more about her here.