Plunge in....darkness

[mwc]

A few thoughts on what being a disciple might mean or look like. I have found myself where Luther is describing, currently infact.

MWC



Plunge In

Martin Luther:



Discipleship is not limited to what you can understand – it must transcend all comprehension. Plunge into the deep waters beyond your own understanding, and I will help you to comprehend.

Bewilderment is the true comprehension. Not to know where you are going is the true knowledge. In this way Abraham went forth from his father, not knowing where he was going. That is the way of the cross. You cannot find it in yourself, so you must let me lead you as though you were a blind man.

Not the work which you choose, not the suffering you devise, but the road which is contrary to all that you choose or contrive or desire – that is the road you must take. It is to this path that I call you, and in this sense that you must be my disciple.

Source: Martin Luther (1483-1546), quoted in Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "The Cost of Discipleship."

[Esquire]

Good words, brother, and as timely today as when they were penned.

[Cato]

Those guys were awesome, and left us with some great reading.

Thanks
Cato

[Swanny]

I'd say his words runs across the grain of the American idealology that most of the 'evangelical' culture has bought into - do your best in school, go to college to get a degree in a high paying job with a company that will provide you will years of stability and IRA's and pensions so that you'll be able to live a life that is comfortable which includes owning your own house when you retire. Intersperce Christ where and when one can along the way.

Thanks for posting them! I need to be reminded daily of what Luther is getting at in that little ditty.

Paul's life looked like a complete mess - he often wanted it like that in order that God's grace and power might be made manifested in and through him.

Christ's life looked very strange at that too! What did he say...'foxes have holes, birds have nest, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head'?

Certainly introduces a paradigm shift on what success looks like!

If anyone ever runs across a book that's out of print called 'Your Money or Your Life' by John Alexander....I'd highly recommend it. Like any other book - read it with discernment, but he'll probably give you a completely different perspective on life than what you and I are used to hearing. Worth it's weight in gold. :)

[Cato]

Swanny,

Yeah, we tell our kids, even in Christians homes, to get a good education, so you can get a good job, so you can make good money, so you can have a nice house and lots of fun in life, and by the way, but sure you ask God to bless all that.

Is it any wonder our American culture is so mixed up?

By the way, you've got mail.

Cato

[mwc]

The older I get and the more life that happens to me the more I realize that what Luther was saying is true. I more often than not find myself in the darkness, not knowing where God is leading. Clues are all I have at times. As painful and difficult as this way can be I am also seeing the mystery and wonder of God again. God is vastly larger than I thought. The darkness positions me to trust and as I bump things in this darkness and hear His whispers the mystery of my journey is exciting. No, it is not what I always want or expect. Many times it is just the opposite. But I like seeing that God is really big.


MWC