The Christian life is not defined by one great decision but by many daily ones — every choice either draws us closer to God or pulls us further away.
Many people begin the Christian life expecting peace, joy, and answered prayers. Yet somewhere along the journey, we encounter disappointment, temptation, suffering, and moments when following Christ becomes difficult. At that point, many of us quietly wonder, "Is this really what I signed up for?"
One of the most emphasized teachings in Christianity is that we should have faith in God and believe that all things work together for the good of those who love Him. Yet I often find myself asking, "What does following Christ truly require?"
As I reflected on The Pilgrim's Progress, I came to understand that we are on a journey that requires strong faith to complete.
The Faith Journey
One lesson that stood out to me was that the Christian life is not an easy one. It is a journey in which our faith will be tested. God's Word reminds us that He will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear because He is with us (Psalm 23:4).
As Christian's journey unfolded, I realized it was shaped not merely by the obstacles he encountered, but by the decisions he made at every stage. Every temptation required a choice, every distraction demanded discernment, and every hardship called for faith.
You Have a Choice to Make
We first make our choices, and then our choices make and shape us. Every decision either draws us closer to God or pulls us further away from Him.
Scripture presents this reality clearly in Deuteronomy 30:19: "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."
Choosing Christ Over Comfort
The greatest choice we will ever make is to choose Christ. Christ tells us that He stands at the door and knocks; if we hear His voice and open the door, He will come in and dine with us (Revelation 3:20). Following Christ begins with intentionally opening our hearts and allowing Him to transform us from within. Repentance is more than asking God for forgiveness — it is the deliberate decision to turn away from our old ways and walk in righteousness.
Choosing Faith
Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." It is easy to trust God when life unfolds as expected, but when disappointments and uncertainty arise, doubt can quietly take root. God is the author of our story — He sees the destination even when we only see the next step.
Choosing Obedience and Perseverance
There will be moments when God's instructions seem difficult because they go against what feels comfortable. We must decide whether to follow our own desires or trust His wisdom. Following Christ was never promised to be free from hardship — but God promises He will never leave nor forsake us, giving us courage to keep moving forward.
The Journey Continues
Every day presents another opportunity to choose. Will we choose comfort or Christ? Will we trust our own understanding or God's truth? Like Christian in The Pilgrim's Progress, we simply respond to God's call and continue walking, trusting that He will faithfully lead us to our destination.
Written by Fellow Alexander Dzakah Jnr
