|
September Focus - Intentional Faith
What's In It For Me?
Every Sunday we publish in the Word Weekly a statement about discipleship called, the Six Marks of a Disciple. This constitutes a rule of life derived from a close reading of scripture and reflection on 2,000 years of faithful living.
The Six Marks of a Disciple include:
- Having an intentional faith.
- Keeping the Sabbath.
- Honoring the tithe.
- Giving and receiving support from other people in a covenant group.
- Using one's spiritual gifts in the building up of the church.
- Sharing with others the source of one's life in Christ.
The spiritual journey is not a random, stumbling struggle in the dark. Calling people to faith Jesus did not say, “Head sort of in that direction.” He said, “Follow me.”
The earliest followers of Jesus had a name from the spiritual journey. The called it The Way or The Road. (The Greek word, hodos, may be translated either way.)
The Road works. It reminds us spirituality has to do with dirt and pavement. The word Spirit means “breath.” But spirituality does not mean “breathy,” or “windy” or “airy.” Spirituality means, God's breath in our bodies. Spirituality is God's breath fused with the dirt and pavement of real life livers like us.
The very concrete road of Jesus changes the world we live in. It changes our understanding and experience of time. It alters our experience with money. It revolutionizes our relationships with other people. It transforms our understanding of ourselves.
People sometimes express shock when they discover discipleship involves commitment.
Sunday ceases to be the weekend. It becomes the Lord's Day.
My money becomes “God's money” of which I acknowledge my stewardship over by returning ten percent (10%!) to him.
My talents become God's spiritual gifts.
My life even ceases to be an autonomous project centered on self. It becomes something I share with others as I become a servant in the Kingdom of God and embrace my full identity as a child of God.
The shock of this kind of commitment seems outrageous. (From the perspective of the autonomous individual it is outrageous.) It is a very big step to become a follower of Jesus.
The first step down the Jesus road is the biggest step of all — humility. Before I embrace the Six Marks of a Disciple I must first acknowledge life is bigger than what I can handle on my own.
Our generation lives with more freedom than the world has ever known. We are absolutely free to make our own way, to live our own lives, to define our own identity. But this kind of freedom, without the guidance of a Life Master, is too much freedom.
Pride says, “Get out of my way, Jesus. I'll find my own way.” Humility responds to Jesus' invitation to follow him. Humility says, “I'll find my way as I follow Jesus' way.”
When alL life options are available how can I find guidance to choose wisely? Living the Six Marks of a Disciple I discover the wisdom to choose wisely.
From September through May our parish will take a deeper look at each of the Six Marks of the Disciple. We begin this month exploring what it means to nurture an intentional faith. Join us.
Monthly Focus Archive
2006:
Easter Focus: New Covenant
Lenten Focus: A Covenantal Response to Poverty
February Focus: Moving Forward
2005:
December Focus: Longing
November Focus: The Gift of Years
October Focus: Stewardship
September Focus: Foundations
Summer Focus: The Book of Acts
Easter Focus: Tapestry
Lenten Focus: Rule of Life
January Focus: The Next Wave
2004:
December Focus: Surprising Grace
November Focus: Free Indeed
October Focus: Money Madness
September Focus: The Outrageous Promise
Summer Focus: Into the Fullness
June Focus: Thick Faith
Easter Focus: All Things New
Lent Focus: A Hungry World
February Focus: Commitment
January Focus: Unity
2003:
December Focus: Hope
November Focus: Worship
October Focus: Stewardship
September Focus: Seasons of Faith
Summer Focus: The Gospel of John
May Focus: Faith
April Focus: Resurrection
March Focus: Truth
February Focus: Covenant Groups
January Focus: Sabbath
2002:
December Focus: Shut Up and Sing
November Focus: Spiritual Gifts
October Focus: Stewardship
September Focus: Intentional Faith
|
