Tuesday, November 23, 2010

A Tall Order

Scripture Verses that Caught My Attention today: Matthew 16:24-26 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

Observation: Interesting challenge/summons. What would it look like?

Application: I’m trying to imagine what it would look like if suddenly everyone in the world became a follower of Jesus. More precisely, I’m wondering what it would look like if everyone in the world became my idea of a follower of Jesus.

What is my idea of a follower of Jesus? It’s hard to say. Whatever it is, it’s someone who does a whole lot better job of it than I do!

It has something to do with being incredibly centered in one’s understanding of what it means to be a child of God. Such a one sees service as a way of life and is not particularly concerned with oneself. Such a one trusts that there will always be enough resources in the world for what is truly needed. Such a one will be wise but not fearful, prudent but not stingy, generous but also humble. Such a one will be glad to share his or her resources but will also encourage others to recognize and utilize the resources they already have. Such people will see this world as temporary, but will nevertheless take real good care of it. They will not fear death but will still embrace this life. They will worship God and give thanks for one another. Jealousy, resentment, excessive pride and the like will be no more. They will embody a constant spirit of thanksgiving. They will really know Jesus rather than just knowing some things about him. They will lose and still win. They will suffer and still rejoice. They will follow because they are led.

Maybe.

Prayer: Lord, it’s hard to picture exactly what you have in mind. Perhaps it’s better to not worry about anyone else and just remember to start once again with myself. That in itself is a tall enough order. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(readings today included Matthew 14-16)

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