In light of my self designation as a “Christ follower” rather than Baptist or Methodist, and a meditation on what it means to follow Christ at www.TheEvangelismInstitute.org, my friend Jon asks what does it mean for me to follow Christ.
Because of humans’ innate ability of self-deception, you need to ask Jesus, not me. Peter’s answer and Jesus’ answer to “What does it mean for Peter to follow Christ?” would differ substantially.
Nevertheless, I’ll give it a shot.
If I were to pick out a biblical image, it would be old Simeon in Jerusalem (Luke 2.25-35), as opposed to Eli of Gibeah (1 Sam 3-4).
Simeon saw keenly things of the Spirit, waited faithfully for the consolation of Israel, spoke the truth. Eli’s sight was dim, his spirit complacent, he failed to confront his wicked sons, and presided over the capture of the Ark of the Covenant.
Following Jesus for me, given my physical limitations, means watching and waiting as much as doing. But then the vocation of the elderly to pray is an instance of Christ’s saving the best for last.
If only we prayed more throughout our life!
Like all Christ followers today I am called on to keep alert.
“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:34-36 (NRSV)
The ruling powers of the so called Free World have learned how to manufacture consent—manipulate the governed to vote even against their own self-interest. The abbas and ammas of the desert teach us much about what is the one thing needful: forsaking all trusting Christ. But oh! the books, the blogs, the iPods, the tv cable, the DVDs!
Following Christ as pastor meant speaking up for the underclasses: women, blacks, Hispanics, lesbians-gays-transgendered-bisexuals. I did so until people wouldn’t listen to me.
Now my discipleship means being still, praying, reading. God has given me two groups of faithful fellow students to read the Bible with.
The best description I know of of following Christ is Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship. He said, and then showed us, that “when Christ calls you, he calls you to come and die.”
I’m certain I have described my failures to follow Christ, as Peter did unwittingly that night in the upper room. May God have mercy, and grant me grace to follow whever he leads. And at this time in my pilgrimage, I know that “to be away from the body is to be with the Lord.”
Photo by Mary Fran
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