Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, July 6, 2015
Disciple of Christ? Present and Accounted For
I can learn about a figure from history all I want. Even, delve into the books, when it comes to that. However, there is the difference between night and day when it comes to merely finding out information versus becoming a true disciple.
Want to talk further about discipleship? What about reading about it? The book Praying the New Testament as Psalms lifts up several excellent passages from the New Testament where discipleship is spoken of, explained, and prayed over.
Like, this: “Let me be a servant to others/remembering the example of Jesus,/living His new commandment of love—/the true mark of His disciple.” [1]
Dedicated to Christ—that’s what I strive to be. Committed. Offering my life, myself. Yes, Lord Jesus. Yet, I don’t quite realize the height, the breadth, the depth of what this might possibly mean. At least, I don’t think I fully know.
I am studying Acts chapter 7, in preparation for an upcoming sermon this Sunday. The deacon Stephen? Dying, martyr for the sake of Christ? Now, that is discipleship. That is sacrifice, and love, and forgiveness. That is living life the way that Jesus would. (Would that I could follow Jesus to this extreme extent.)
Which brings me to more words from the Gospel of John, turned into a modern Psalm. “Open my heart to learn from Your Son—/the humble, gentle Jesus,/His yoke is easy and His burden light./I will find rest for my soul.” [2]
Wow. And again I say, wow. Such radical discipleship. May I live out my life in such a way as to be a disciple of Christ. In the way of either of these Psalms, showing two aspects of what Jesus calls each of us to do. To be. God willing, I pray so.
Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.
Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind. @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .
[1] Praying the New Testament as Psalms, Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, and Maureen Mohen, RSM, (United States of America: ACTA Publications, 2002.), 60.
[2] Ibid.
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