Left to myself . . . going with just my natural inclination, I’m not really a “swim upstream” sort of person. I don’t like to make waves . . . pretty content to go with the flow. Despite what sometimes appears otherwise, I’m actually pretty content to just blend in and go unnoticed. But I’m reminded this morning that following Christ is not really a “go with the flow” type of calling.

I’m reminded this morning in Hebrews 13 that in order to make the way for my salvation . . . that in order to “sanctify” me or “set me apart” for Himself . . . that Jesus, like the sacrifices of old, had to suffer “outside the gate.” Just as the bodies of Old Testament sacrifices were burned outside the camp (13:11), so too, Jesus was taken outside of the religious camp of the day to die. He was crucified outside of Jerusalem’s gates . . . He was outside the accepted religious practice of the day . . . He went against the flow . . . willingly He suffered the reproach, the reviling, and the rejection of swimming upstream.

And that’s the place He calls me to . . . outside the camp, bearing His reproach.

Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.  
                                                                              (Hebrews 13:14 ESV)

Not a very comfortable place . . . outside the camp. But where else would I go? Who else has the words of eternal life? He is the Way, the Truth, the Life and no one comes to the Father but through Him. If He is outside the camp, then that’s where I need to be too. Willing to put it out there . . . willing to be misunderstood, or misrepresented, or maligned.

And one of the reasons this isn’t such a “bad move” on my part is that here I have “no lasting city.” Instead, I’m already seeking the city that is to come. Swimming upstream maybe becomes a bit easier when I realize that going with the flow only leads to a cesspool compared to what I have waiting for me “upstream.” Feeling like I’m standing alone outside the camp becomes easier to do when I realize that everything “in the camp” is perishing and will one day pass way. But the enduring, continuing, lasting, city in heaven is coming . . . and soon!!! That’s why saints who get this sing, “This world’s not my home, I’m just a passin’ through!!!”

I can be the round peg in the square hole because I’m searching after the city to come . . . I wish for it . . . I crave it . . . sometimes I can taste and touch it!!!

And so, as I fix my eyes on what is to come, being outside the camp doesn’t really become the focus . . . rather I end up outside the camp because my eyes are turned to the One who is the Light and Glory of Heaven itself, my loving Father!!

Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.   (Hebrews 13:15 ESV)

Outside the camp, standing with Jesus, with Him as my enabler, I’m exhorted to continually, without ceasing, offer the sacrifice of praise to God . . . the fruit or offering of my lips . . . acknowledging or confessing His Wonderful Name.

It’s not just swimming upstream for the sake of swimming upstream . . . it’s coming to the blessed Savior . . . it’s being ushered by Him into the very presence of Almighty God . . . whatever sacrifice it might mean for me, it pales against the privilege and joy of offering the sacrifice of praise to the Father.

Let’s go . . . swimming upstream . . . boldly acknowledging His name . . . joyfully offering abundant praise . . . by His grace . . . for His glory!