Open up your lives…
In my line of work many people want to know what I think discipleship is. I have read several books on the topic, attended several seminars, read several passages in the Scriptures that deal with this topic and even done it as part of my “job”. This weekend I came across a verse in Mathew.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Mat 11:28-30 The Message)
At the risk of sounding way to simple…maybe this is exactly what Christ meant when He said:
“Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. “(Mat 28:19-20 ASV)
Maybe we are simply to allow fellow believers who are younger/less mature in their walk with Christ to walk with us…work with us…watch how we “do it”. I really like how Eugene Peterson puts it in The Message: “learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” Show our disciples how to live “freely and lightly.” This simple, but profound approach isn’t easy. It means that we have to open our homes, our hearts and our very lives. We can no longer live behind the closed doors of the American suburban life-style. We have to allow our flaws to be seen. We must share some very difficult/vulnerable parts of our lives. To put it another way, we have to be real.
As difficult and challenging as this all may sound, it is equally if not more freeing. What wonderful freedom we find when we are real with people! No more hiding our secrets, but actually allowing “iron to sharpen iron”.
I have accepted the challenge to disciple others…I have found it to be messy, heartbreaking and just plain hard. But, I have also found it to be profoundly rewarding, uplifting and just plain fun!
Please, walk in obedience…disciple this next generation of Christ-Followers!!!
…let me know your thoughts.
