Disciples of Light

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.’ So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.--Jeremiah 18

God has invited Jeremiah to observe one of the ways that God shapes God’s people.  Nothing is lost in God’s world, but everything is not useful to God’s purposes, either.

We are the clay in this metaphor and God is the Potter.  We are shaped through the work of God’s hands--changed and reworked as He desires.

But we are not simply an inert substance.  As clay we are moldable, but we also have an element within us of resistance.  It is the movement of this give and take which forms us into beautiful vessels of light. 

Do not be surprised by this description of yourselves.

Paul tells us that we have this Spirit within cracked jars.  In other words, we are not perfect containers for the light of Christ, but we are able to share this light because of our brokenness.

Through these cracks in our form, our hearts, our selves, we allow the brilliance of God to show out upon the world which is now enthrall to darkness.

Blessings,

Debra

A Blessed Discipleship

‘Blessed ... are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’-Luke 11:28

Jesus turns our understandings of blessedness upside down in the Sermon on the Mount.  The poor?  The mourners?  How can these people be blessed-sanctified-happy?

 Jesus is revealing an aspect of blessedness which we may not think about often.  We are blessed when we do the work of God.  We are blessed, when like Mary, we say yes to the invitation of God.  We are blessed in action as well as in stillness.

When our actions bring us closer to the life of Christ in us, we are blessed.  A blessed discipleship is a journey upon which we embark for love of Christ.  

When we spend time reading the scripture and listening for God’s voice in prayer and community, we are blessed disciples.

Our journey of blessing may not always be a happy road, but it will be the right road for us.  We have been sanctified through Christ to walk the Way that leads to a deeper love of Him.

When the path is rocky, we may slow down.  When the path is smooth, we may run ahead.  But whatever is going on for us right now, we can turn to Christ. 

Blessed are you when you struggle, but do not lose hope.

Blessed are you when you love, but do not hold too tight.

Blessed are you disciples.

Blessings,

Debra

The Adventure of Discipleship

‘…for we walk by faith, not by sight.’

2 Cor :7

Walking by faith could conjure up images of being blind-folded and guided by someone to make our way along the streets—a trust experiment.

While this image may make us bristle, it is not too far off the mark.  We have the hope that Christ has given us.  We are moving toward a goal that is more relationship than fixed destination.

How shall we discern the right road ?  How will we avoid getting lost ?

Being lost en route can be scary and frustrating.  We might be late or we might miss an event entirely.  If we can ‘t find our way we may pull over and ask directions. We will have to trust that the giver of directions is steering us correctly.

On the discipleship journey, we have a trustworthy guide.  And while we might often feel lost, we aren’t abandoned.

Because we have a guide who is the Way, itself, we are free to have an adventure.  We are free to move into uncharted territory.

And that is what a classic adventure is, isn’t it ?  The hero or heroine begin to move on a road of discovery.  The journey is the story.  The goal is simply a means to orient the adventure.

Think about The Wizard of Oz, one of my favorite adventure stories.  The exciting part of the story occurs in the twists and turns of the path, the obstacles and challenges of going deeper into the heart of adventure.  It is as true for us on the adventure with Christ as it was for Dorothy Gale, on an adventure to find true home.

Dorothy had the power to go home at any time.  We, too, have the power to trust that the Way is our true home.  We have not stopped traveling yet.

Blessings,

Debra