There are so many folks that are making major decisions and significant sacrifices in following the Lord in the vision he’s given us. I would name names, but I don’t want to embarrass or dishonor anyone. While I’m thinking of three specific guys right now, I can easily add another 6-8 other women and men who are being seriously challenged and encouraged in what it means to be a “follow me” disciple. When I say “serious” I mean giving up jobs, moving, not taking jobs that would mean moving away, being “downwardly mobile” in income to stay close… Things that make zero sense in a materialistic, consumer culture. Things that if we use the American Dream as a standard of judgment are a nightmare.
I ran across the following passage from Dallas Willard who explains the significance of what people are doing better than I ever could. He writes, “…one cannot be a disciple of Christ without forfeiting things normally sought in human life, and that one who pays little in the world’s coinage to bear his name has reason to wonder where he or she stands with God. But the cost of nondiscipleship is far greater – even when this life alone is considered – than the price paid to walk with Jesus.
“Nondiscipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God’s overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, power to do what is right and withstand the forces of evil. In short, it costs exactly that abundance of life Jesus said he came to bring (John 10:10). The cross-shaped yolk of Christ is after all an instrument of liberation and power to those who live in it with him and learn the meekness and lowliness of heart that brings rest to the soul.” (Devotional Classics by Foster and Smith, p.16)
For those of you who are being faithful in midst of discipleship situations that are both perilous and terrifying on the one hand, yet at the same time are full of real life and meaning I just want to say how much I appreciate your example. It gives me and the rest of our small community a greater strength to follow and an example of courage to emulate.
You may think no one notices and that you are alone, but you are not. You may not even feel like you have a choice. That the Lord has cornered you. Yet every time you have an easy out you don’t take it. Every time you an opportunity to duck your head and go an easier way you don’t take the temptation. The Lord sees. We see. He’s doing great things in and through you. Thanks for being faithful to Him.
