Any time you drive down the road and see billboards, or you turn on the tv or radio, you’re being bombarded with images and suggestions. People are telling you what to buy, how to think, what to wear etc. Our minds are all being fed something. You can’t get away from it! Things pop up on your phone. A friend calls with “news”. Stimuli is being hurled at us left and right. Some of this is okay. I would probably say, a lot of it is not. You have to be careful what you feed yourself in the natural. A diet of pure sugar is not in your best interest. Also, spiritually speaking, we have to be careful not to digest anything that’s going to harm us. Not everything that is said or advertised is good for you. 

“After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter replied, ‘you know I love you.’ ‘Then feed my lambs,’ Jesus told him.” (‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬) Notice, Jesus is establishing Peter’s love for his Lord. Because of this love, Jesus is charging Peter with the task of feeding His people. Let’s be clear. Jesus is not asking Peter to distribute physical food. He’s saying “you’ve been with me all this time. There’s going to be things said about me. You make sure you speak Truth. This will nourish my followers”. Jesus had resurrected and the Church of His Lordship was beginning. It was imperative that what God had done in and through Jesus was proclaimed correctly. The New Testament wasn’t written yet. People didn’t have copies of The Bible on their coffee tables. They didn’t have the internet. This was word of mouth news. Accuracy was everything. 

Jesus was very clear about His mission to come to the earth He created. “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬) People would have no hope if Jesus had not completed His mission. He wanted captives set free. He wanted a way for you and I to have a relationship with a Holy God. Our “good deeds” were not going to make the cut. We need to be in relationship with The One who gave His life as a ransom for every place you and I have ever and will ever go wrong. Truth about Jesus had to be completely accurate. “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ‭‭(John‬ ‭8‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬) Only The Truth (Jesus) can make you live in freedom. Only Truth. Not a stripped down version. Not a politically correct version. Only the very truth of Jesus can set you free from the captivity of this world. 

So, I’m asking you to think about what you’re saying to people. What are you doing? Is your sphere of influence being enriched by the news you’re sharing? What motivates you to do what you do? Do you live your life for an audience or an audience of One? These are tough, soul searching questions. But, they matter. This life is not a dress rehearsal. It’s the real thing. Show love for people. Pray for them when you’re asked. Take the high road even when it’s hard. Take Jesus by the hand and He will help you. He’s still asking us today, like Peter, if we love Him. If we do, we’ll feed His sheep. 

Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.