What on earth is a Real Disciple?
I couldn't find any domains names that somebody else hadn't already grabbed. After hours of frustrating searches on Go Daddy I chose realdisciple.com. Then it hit me. I had picked a terribly egotistic name. Come to my blog everyone- I am the REAL disciple and can show you how to also become a REAL disciple! Talk about being the Pharisee. No wonder nobody had chosen this domain name. It smacks of ugly pride.
But last week it hit me. Being a Jesus disciple is simply... being real. That's it.
Portaying the real me to the world, as well as to myself, is appealing. It is also offensive to me. I find great comfort in my denial, and my good intentions make me feel all good and spiritual. But I have to admit that it is all foolishness and a total waste of my life. The apostle Paul shakes me up as I read his words once again this morning: "I will boast in my infirmities, I take pleasure in my weaknesses." 2 Cor. 12:9-10. The guy has got to be kidding! My dictionary says that an infirmity is defined by weakness, feebleness, sickness, character flaw. Paul goes on to say that he takes pleasure in all of these: needs, persecutions, distresses, and reproaches. How on earth can this be the healthy DNA of the Christian life? And it is. Embracing every ounce of my utter frailty is where life in Christ begins and ends!! I know this to be true. And I don't like it one stinking bit. I admit that I have become addicted to my lifestyle of exagerating my strengths and ignoring my desparate neediness! HELP!
Two hours ago I met a newcomer to our neighborhood. She is going through a divorce and has two small children. I felt sorry for her then, but now feel as if I am being moved towards a new perspective. I am staring at Paul's words. And I am tempted to believe the good news of his insane message. It is this- when she is weak, then, and only then, is she strong. What about me today. The inverse of this truth is tempting: When Brian is strong, then he is really a spiritual wimp, totally impotent of god's life and power.
My weaknesses are my greatest attributes. So why do I spend so much energy pretending like I am the mighty man of Christianity all the while completely missing the target of the real Jesus life? Why do I allow myself to be decieved? Why am I so driven to impress my church friends? Why do I choose to live in denial and miss out on "the power of Christ resting upon me. (verse 9)." Why am I wasting my life? Why am I modeling such a twisted form of Christianity to those that I think I am discipling ? Why do I settle for an external form of joy and intimacy with God when the real thing is right in front of my nose? Why? Why? Why?
The promise is beautiful. Totally cool. Here it is. Right in front of me. And I have never realized until now that this sentence is the only red letters (Jesus quote) in the whole book of 2 Corinthians. Get ready. Here we go-
" My strength is made perfect in your weakness!"
The pefect strength of God. Available to me today. Sounds pretty good. I wonder what I will do with this truth today. Will I let it change my life? Will I be the REAL me today?
But last week it hit me. Being a Jesus disciple is simply... being real. That's it.
Portaying the real me to the world, as well as to myself, is appealing. It is also offensive to me. I find great comfort in my denial, and my good intentions make me feel all good and spiritual. But I have to admit that it is all foolishness and a total waste of my life. The apostle Paul shakes me up as I read his words once again this morning: "I will boast in my infirmities, I take pleasure in my weaknesses." 2 Cor. 12:9-10. The guy has got to be kidding! My dictionary says that an infirmity is defined by weakness, feebleness, sickness, character flaw. Paul goes on to say that he takes pleasure in all of these: needs, persecutions, distresses, and reproaches. How on earth can this be the healthy DNA of the Christian life? And it is. Embracing every ounce of my utter frailty is where life in Christ begins and ends!! I know this to be true. And I don't like it one stinking bit. I admit that I have become addicted to my lifestyle of exagerating my strengths and ignoring my desparate neediness! HELP!
Two hours ago I met a newcomer to our neighborhood. She is going through a divorce and has two small children. I felt sorry for her then, but now feel as if I am being moved towards a new perspective. I am staring at Paul's words. And I am tempted to believe the good news of his insane message. It is this- when she is weak, then, and only then, is she strong. What about me today. The inverse of this truth is tempting: When Brian is strong, then he is really a spiritual wimp, totally impotent of god's life and power.
My weaknesses are my greatest attributes. So why do I spend so much energy pretending like I am the mighty man of Christianity all the while completely missing the target of the real Jesus life? Why do I allow myself to be decieved? Why am I so driven to impress my church friends? Why do I choose to live in denial and miss out on "the power of Christ resting upon me. (verse 9)." Why am I wasting my life? Why am I modeling such a twisted form of Christianity to those that I think I am discipling ? Why do I settle for an external form of joy and intimacy with God when the real thing is right in front of my nose? Why? Why? Why?
The promise is beautiful. Totally cool. Here it is. Right in front of me. And I have never realized until now that this sentence is the only red letters (Jesus quote) in the whole book of 2 Corinthians. Get ready. Here we go-
" My strength is made perfect in your weakness!"
The pefect strength of God. Available to me today. Sounds pretty good. I wonder what I will do with this truth today. Will I let it change my life? Will I be the REAL me today?
posted by Brian C. at
10:37 AM
1 Comments:
Well written article.
By
Annamika, At
October 27, 2008 7:05 PM
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