I recently read that, while Kanye is now preaching Jesus, Kim is proclaiming that microwaving your M&Ms for 30 seconds “will change your life.”  I realize that they’re both talking about fundamental change on the inside.  But…

The phrase “will change your life” brought to mind the many times I’ve heard preachers say if you become a follower of Jesus “it will change everything.”  Some thoughts.

First, “follower” doesn’t seem like the right word to use.  Yes, “follow” can mean to join a leader in his work.  But “follow” can also mean just walking along behind someone.  At the end of John 6, Jesus’s teaching was upsetting enough that many who were considered to be disciples “turned back and walked with Him no more” (NKJV).  There are “followers” and there are “followers.”

Second, often, when those preachers say, “it will change everything,” they don’t explain what that means.  “Everything” can be so general a term that it means nothing.  Some specifics about the peace, joy, and comfort that come would be a good clarification.  Or the filling of the void one feels.  If ever there be a place for examples, that would be it.

Third, “it will change everything” is wrong.  Sure, they really mean the act will change everything.  For me, “it” didn’t.  “He” did.  We often refer to Scripture saying, “It says in” whatever verse.  If Scripture is God’s living love letter to mankind, then “it” doesn’t say; “He” says.

In Matthew 8 when Jesus offered to go to the centurion’s house to heal his servant, the centurion said, Lord, just say the word and it’ll be done.  I’m glad we don’t have to ask Him to say the word.  He already has.