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| Boston Marathon, 1978 |
Once in a while I get together
with other clergy. Invariably, we talk about how our life in Christ is going
which involves sharing new ideas, things that appear to be working, developing new
ministries and strengthening the old ones, attracting newcomers, and trying to
see where God, through Jesus, is leading his Church. Needless to say, this
discussion is often marked by scriptural “gnashing of teeth and rendering of
garments.” Being a disciple of Jesus is hard enough – leading others to him is,
well, challenging.
From time to time, you have
heard me talk about having a spiritual “checklist;” a method to remind us about
the important things in life and a way not to fall too far behind. It is also a
list for those folks who say they want more – they want to move from being simply
an admirer of Jesus to becoming one of his disciples.
It’s not an easy journey. If it
was, the world would be a lot different, a lot better. Jesus asks much of those
of us who wish to step up. Remember? “Unless you take up your cross…” What
would you say to a person who asked you what a disciple of Jesus is? In
reality, it’s like a weekend jogger deciding to run a marathon. It can be done,
but not without a schedule of discipline – a lot of effort, and, yes, some pain.
When I decided to run the Boston marathon a number of years ago, I couldn’t just
tell people I was a marathon runner because I was going to run one, I had to start
training. And running more miles in that year of preparation than I had ever
done before.
This is what I think this is
what needs to happen to those who say they are Christians. Sure, it’s easy to
say I am a marathon runner or a Christian. But doing it is another thing.
Here’s a program that those who
are willing to move from admiration to discipleship: The program involves seven
vital action areas (listed in alphabetical order, not importance):
- Examining.
Periodically and regularly take a good, hard look at your life Asking the
important people around you, “How am I doing?” (Try Galatians 5:19-23 for
a template). Then deeply listening and acting on what you hear. Where you
have fallen down, you confess, ask for God’s forgiveness, and act on
eliminating the negatives in your life. All of us who say we follow Jesus
should work to continuously improve all aspects of our lives and
relationships.
- Giving.
Most of us in North America have too much stuff. Giving is not only about
ourselves, but also our stuff. The biblical standard is the tithe. Ten
percent of your income should be given to others who are in need. It
doesn’t have to all go to the church, but at the end of the year, you
should note that ten percent of your income went to help others less
fortunate than you are.
- Praying.
If you aren’t taking time to pray each day you will fall behind your
spiritual goals. John of the Cross said this about prayer: “You say you
have no time to pray, then double it.” We all need time in quiet, with
God, giving first thanksgiving, then supplications our families, church
members and the world. Pray like your life depended on it.
- Serving.
This is what comes “out the spout.” Christians serve others. A spiritual
life without service is not a life to be lived. It’s what a Jesus-followers
does. Engage in an activity that serves others. It’s a wide-open field.
- Studying.
In order to grow in your faith you need to know about it. Study involves
the Bible (what God has revealed to about himself) and books (what others
have said, and are saying, about God.) When you study God you must always
be open to listening what God may say in response. For example, the
Benedictine practice of Lectio
divina (meditative reading) is digesting a passage or two from
scripture, meditating on it, praying, and then silently contemplating what
you have heard.)
- Solitude.
We live in a busy, often frenetic, world. Spiritually questing people
simply cannot find what they are looking for being engaging in today’s
society. Since the earliest times, men and women have gone into the quiet
of the desert to find God. Scripture tells us God often speaks more
clearly there. To grow, you need to find time alone – not in loneliness,
but in solitude with God. No excuses.
- Worshipping.
Much of our spiritual growth as a disciple of Jesus can be done alone
except for two of them – serving and worshipping. Being with Jesus is not
a solitary discipline, it is what you do with others, building
relationships among other disciples, serving and worshipping with others.
A Jesus man or woman does both, just as Jesus did. Growing in Christ is a
life process of engagement-retreat-engagement. That is how we find
strength and it is also how we grow – and, most importantly, finish the
race.
What do you think?
Are there other things a
disciple of Jesus should be doing?
What is your growth plan?
