Be a saunterer

To saunter is to walk slowly and in a relaxed manner. This word is a reminder to me that we are called to follow Christ in a deliberate manner, but also to notice all that is around us. If our walking is purely about clocking a certain time, we may lose the opportunity to reflect on why we are walking.

John Muir writes: "...back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked, where they were going, they would reply, "A la sainte terre (to the Holy Land)." And so, they became known as saint-terre-ers or saunterers. 

Walking in the footsteps of Jesus is like going on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We are not going on a hike or passing awhile time, we are SAUNTERERS. 

3 John 1: 4 - "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

Living in Grace

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The Covenant Prayer in different words

In the Methodist tradition we share in an annual Covenant Service, where we renew our commitment to Jesus and remember our conversion, baptism and call to follow Christ. The original prayer, introduced by John Wesley is a little confusing, as our English language has changed over the past 270 years. However, I have found this modern version equally meaningful. and refreshing. 

I pray that you will wrestle with these sentiments too. Which line in the prayer hits home for you today?

"I am no longer my own but yours.
Your will, not mine, be done in all things,
wherever you may place me,
in all that I do
and in all that I may endure;
when there is work for me
and when there is none;
when I am troubled
and when I am at peace.
Your will be done
when I am valued
and when I am disregarded;
when I find fulfilment
and when it is lacking;
when I have all things,
and when I have nothing.
 
I willingly offer
all I have and am
to serve you,
as and where you choose.

Glorious and blessèd God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
May it be so for ever.
Let this covenant now made on earth
be fulfilled in heaven. Amen." - adapted from John Wesley's original prayer

Living in Grace

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Letting someone else lead us

We are not good at letting someone else lead us. We usually like to be in control and to call the shots. Jesus makes it clear, that when it comes to being a disciple, we must choose to let him lead us. There is no other way:

^34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. (Mark 8 - Eugene Peterson)

Thought: What do you find hard about sitting in the passenger seat? 

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” —John C. Maxwell

Living in Grace

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Leader or follower?

When we look around the world at the moment, we see a dearth of good leadership. It is true that we need inspirational leaders in order to get us into a better place, as a planet, but I feel that we also need to be faithful followers of God, in order to stay focused on higher values and principles. 

The following story says a lot about us as people, at the moment: 

S. I. McMillen, in his book None of These Diseases, tells a story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, "Are you a leader?" 

Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, "No," and returned the application, expecting the worst. 

To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: "Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower." - S. I. McMillen.

Jesus called us to follow him first, before we ventured off into our own version of leadership. 

"He said to another man, “Follow me.” - Luke 9:59

Living in Grace

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Being a life-long learner

“A disciple is an apprentice of Jesus” - Dallas Willard

When Jesus called the 'disciples' to come and follow him, they were not yet disciples. They were ordinary citizens of a different kingdom.  They probably had a longing in their heart for something more - for something deeper, but they may have thought they were not good enough to follow a Rabbi. However, in the moment when Jesus turned tradition on it's head and called them to be his disciples, the 12 agreed to become life-long apprentices of God. 

Our decision to believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour is the first part of this journey and, dare I say it, the easiest part. What follows after this, is a commitment to intentionally walk the 'Jesus Way'  day after day. 

So, how are things going for you as a disciple? What have you learnt today about following the Son of God?

Living in Grace

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·   Matthew 4:19 - “Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (NLT)