As I was volunteering at the Board of Elections for early voting this week, I noticed a bit of commotion as someone was trying to pull a big, old car into a parking spot where it couldn’t really fit. We waved the driver over to a larger parking spot and helped him park. It turns out that it was a 76 old man who was coming to vote for the first time. He had come with his daughter who had encouraged him that it was never too late to do something so important. We all clapped for him, and he just beamed. As he was leaving, he assured us that we would see him again at the next election.
The day before this, I returned from spending the weekend with 15 of our Jr. High youth at our fall retreat. We have several new 6th graders that had taken a big step to be there. Our theme was discipleship. Some youth were new to this idea and others were living it out through their actions but not really understanding the deeper meaning.
We explored Luke 14:25-33 and Matthew 10:34-39. These passages show that the idea of discipleship is a difficult one. Jesus tells his believers that they must hate their fathers and mothers to be his disciples, and they must pick up and carry His cross. He says he does not come to bring peace but a sword. Ouch, those seem like big, scary undertakings.
Thankfully, being a follower of Jesus, does not mean “hating” your mother and father, but it is more than saying you are a follower of Jesus. We find peace in our relationship with Jesus but it may cause conflict in other areas of our lives when we proclaim that we are a follower.
Jesus asks that we put our love for Him above worldly things and put that faith into action. We can tell our story of faith, we can serve, and we can stand for justice and mercy. Jesus has chosen us to be His disciples. Jesus believes that we have it within us to do His work through our hands. And if Jesus believes in us, we can believe in ourselves. Jesus trusts us to be a disciple in the best way we can. Jesus didn't choose people who were already perfect and had their lives together. He chose people who struggled and sinned, like you and me.
I am thankful that the youth had the courage to come this past weekend to begin their journey of discipleship. However, if they get lost along the way, or take a detour, or wait to really dig in until they are 76, they are always welcome.
Where are you as a follower of Jesus? Are you taking risks to learn, evaluate priorities, share your story, or act in His love? Are you on a quieter, reflective, prayerful journey? Do you need to take the first step? Pick up a devotion book at church, join a Bible study, serve, or give to hurricane relief; there are many baby steps.
No matter where you are or what you are doing, God can use you to spread His life changing message of love and hope. We all need it.
Following Jesus with you,
Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation