When we try to customize God’s Word to fit our lives, we miss the purpose of surrender.

You Can’t Make Your Own Jesus

Today’s word at church was “You Can’t Make Your Own Jesus,” with the biblical reference coming from Exodus 32:1–4. This message spoke directly to me because I can remember a time when I was following the ways of the world, trying to change the character and Word of God to fit the life I wanted to live.

I did things I knew weren’t of God and tried to use the Bible to justify the sin I was living in. My pastor reminded us today that we have become so accustomed to customization and algorithms that this mindset has even slipped into our relationship with Jesus. We try to twist His Word to fit our lifestyles and justify our actions.

And you know what? I still struggle at times with wanting to customize Jesus to fit the things I want.

There are things I desire for myself, but I know they aren’t necessarily what God has for me. And yes, surrendering my plans for His is hard. But as someone who has chosen to follow Him, I have to remind myself that it’s not about what I want. It’s about the plans He has for me. Trying to manipulate the Word of God to fit my desires isn’t going to work.

I’ve had to learn what it means to die to my flesh daily, pick up my cross, and follow Him. No, it’s not easy.

Just about two weeks ago, I had to surrender something I wanted very badly when God told me, “No.” It was hard to let go, but I had to remind myself that God knows best. With everything I had left in me, I had to walk away, knowing that I cannot continue leaning on my own understanding.

Every day, I am learning. I never want to reach a point where I think I’ve stopped growing because I know there is always room for growth. Every day, I am learning, growing, and becoming a different person than I was the day before.

So, yes, today’s message resonated with me deeply. It reminded me that I cannot create a version of Jesus that fits my preferences, nor can I reshape His Word to make room for the things I want to do.

If you would like to hear my pastor bring this message home, you can click the link below. My prayer is that this word blesses you as it blessed me and reminds you that God is the author and finisher of our faith.

I must learn to trust His plans for my life, even when I don’t understand them. I chose to surrender my life to Him, and that means following Him daily, regardless of whether I am having a good day or a difficult one.

I cannot customize Jesus to fit my life. I must allow Him to transform my life to reflect Him.

Dr. Randy Joyner/You Can’t Make Your Own Jesus/Redemption Center Church