Astronomy is something that has always interested me. I am completely in awe of the size of the universe in which we live. But when I attempt to consider all the other universes in our solar system, my mind begins to shut down. There are millions of unknown mysteries out there that will never be solved. However, there are quite a few that have been studied and as a result, some conclusions have been drawn.

For instance, why is the planet Pluto so cold, and how cold is it? As best we can gather with all of our science and instruments, the average surface temperature is about a minus 380 Fahrenheit. Thus, it is not reasonable that mankind would ever consider settling on such an uncomfortable planet as Pluto. But then, there’s Mercury where during an average day the temperature can reach a plus 801 Fahrenheit. That is hot enough to melt lead! Why the difference, you might ask? The answer is so simple that you have probably already figured it out. It is directly related to the distance from our sun. The closer to the sun, the warmer the temperatures. The further from the sun, the cooler the temperatures.

So, would you like to know what is wrong with the Christian Church today? It also is directly related to distance; not from the “sun”, but from the “Son”. As a redeemed, born-again believer and child of God, our spiritual temperature is determined by how close we are to Jesus. Our pursuit of God reveals our passion for God … or our lack of it. Our relationship with others is dependent upon what we are willing to sacrifice so that we might give ourselves fully to that person. True love toward others, has nothing to do with how we feel toward them, but rather how committed we are to them. In the same way, true love toward God also has everything to do with how committed we are to Him. We can have a red-hot commitment, an ice-cold commitment or anything in between. The choice is our own.

John the Beloved, had a consistent commitment to Jesus as evidenced by his quiet, submissive walk with his Lord. His obedience was an example of how we all should be following Jesus while accepting our responsibilities that correspond with our calling.

Not long before Jesus ascended back into Heaven, He appeared at daybreak by the sea and prepared breakfast for the disciples. In an exchange between Jesus and Peter, the Lord eventually reaffirmed Peter as an Apostle. Then He told him  that there would come a time when Peter would be martyred for preaching the Gospel. Peter then quickly turned and seeing John following asked, “But what about this man?” Jesus then said in John 21:22, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

As believers aspiring to be true followers of Christ, we should be focused entirely on our relationship with and obedience to our Savior. It is He who has saved us, then called us to follow Him. If we can at least do that, we will be far ahead of the many multitudes that are wasting away their lives on things that matter so little.