This one is for HoneyLil, a regular reader and more importantly a sister who for years I’ve long admired and looked up to as a good example of faithfulness. It’s inspired by words she gave to me recently.
One of the reasons why this blog is NOT a straightforward ‘bible devotional’ or ‘discipleship journal’ brimming with scripture references, is because the title of the blog is NOT ‘Bible Devotional Today with Christopher Dryden’ or ‘Discipleship Daily with Christopher Dryden’. Jesus is the centre of my life, a lot of it revolves around Him and I hope that comes across, but how He manifests Himself is in the mediocre and mundane as well as the magnificent and marvellous. He is just as present when I have a funny riff about something I saw on television as He is when I’m sharing insights from His Word. He is just as present, because as I’m discovering with alarming regularity, He has a vested interest in EVERYTHING I do and that is one of the huge realities of following the Master.
So I was thinking about realities of following the Master (by which of course I refer to the Lord Jesus Christ rather than the arch-nemesis of the Doctor in cult television favourite Dr. Who) and came up with some little thoughts for your contemplation.
Following the Master is the most joyful undertaking, from deep down heartfelt joy to moments of light headed giddy laughter kind of joy. Those moments both deep and light act as tremendous notes for encouragement when things are not so happy-clappy.
Following the Master means giving up on following myself. A reality that is a daily challenge. No matter how consumed I am by loving Him and desiring His will to be done through me, there is a conscious awareness that it only takes a moment of complacency, or being upset at someone or something for that dedication to be tested.
Following the Master involves being used to being misunderstood and rejected. Apparently the Master said if that’s how He’s treated then those who follow Him have to expect the same as well.
Following the Master includes having insights on people that might otherwise be overlooked. There is something about His love that every so often allows good in others to be seen and even the worst character with the most irritating personal features, has hope in the redeeming power of God because of the good that is seen in them through Jesus. Likewise any nasty aspects of their character is held as a reflection on the ongoing grace and love of the Beautiful Saviour to redeem a sinner condemned and unclean such as oneself.
Following the Master has elements of the uncomfortable and the unconventional. Just when I think it’s safe to have this discipleship business down. Just when I think I’ve got a grip on where He’s going and what He’s doing, He’ll flip it all over and present another aspect that will call me to accept Him and conform to his nature, or to go back to something ‘more comfortable’ but ultimately less in awe, devotion and reverence to him and more in a desire to please meself.
Following the Master requires vulnerability and humility that goes against a lot of what is promoted as the way for the advancement of man. So the power of what lies within is displayed through the frail and flawed jars of clay, not the people who have it altogether.
Following the Master puts us at odds with the status quo. Norms and accepted social ideas that don’t fit the requirements of the Master’s Kingdom have a definite irritating element for the follower. Something lies restless in the follower until a state of opposition to that norm emerges.
Following the Master is not a solo journey and is one informed crucially by other followers at different stages in the journey. Whether those travellers be alive or asleep and whether they’ve come from the same path or from others led by the same Master.
Following the Master is a significant choice made every day by the power of God, lived through the presence of God with the priority being God.
Following the Master reveals truths about oneself that you didn’t even know. some of them you wish could be kept in the closet, others you’d want to parade for everyone to see. Both reactions are completely useless as the whole point of the revelation of the truth is to bring the one back to the focus on the Master.
Following the Master remains a journey that does not reach its destination until His return.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
Life With CD 