I’ve Given my Life to Christ, What’s Next?

Laura Numeroff, a children’s author, wrote the following words, “If you give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to ask for a glass of milk.” This popular story is read to young readers all the time, but what do these words mean? Well, it can be interpreted in many ways. One way this has been taken is that human nature takes and takes and takes. It does not give, but expects to be given to. In other words, if you give someone an inch, expect them to take a mile. With this attitude, it is assumed that people just take advantage of people. More on this mentality can be read here.

Now put on the lenses of Christ. When applying this children’s story to the Christian life, it could mean that if you give your life to God, He’s going to ask you to live a certain way. If you are a Christian and this comes as a shock, are you really a Christian? There are many different ways believers stumbled upon a lifestyle that of a Christian. Some grew up in the church. Others found God later in life. Many have yet to experience the radical love and grace the one and only Christian God offers. No matter what the case may be, there is life to be lived. For all those that have committed to using the life they have been given for Christ, congratulations. However, your work here is not done. Becoming a Christian is just the first step toward eternal life.

Matthew 22: 37-40 reads, “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” To love with all your heart is a very large commandment and that’s only a third of the equation. Living up to this is an everyday choice. It is not a one and done rule. It may only take one day to make the commitment, but the commitment is a lifelong commitment.

Shelby Farthing, a sophomore Theological Studies and Philosophy major at GU, describes her journey to giving her life to Christ in this way, “For me, it wasn’t necessarily about giving my life to Christ but it was about making a decision to help those who felt unheard and oppressed in the name of Christ. This reaffirms my faith every day, the hope and restoration that Jesus gives in liberating and restoring those who have been trampled on by society. It is a hard thing really.” Farthing makes the decision to follow Christ by helping others daily.

So, have you given your life to Christ and are wondering what’s next? Well, there is no easy, simple solution, but giving your life to Christ is not a decision made in one day, but a decision made every day. If you have given your life to Christ, it is now time for you to live your life for Christ.

Media by Shelbi Fisher.