While on our honeymoon, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The waterfall, which has a drop of nearly 1,000 feet is a marvel to see. While there has been some work done on the falls, much of the stair-stepped descent is natural and in a constant state of change. Part of our visit included climbing up the waterfall from sea level to the top of the falls. Our guide's words carried caution: "Follow me. Put your feet where I put mine, and we'll all make it." I am not a very adventurous person, but decided this was probably a once in a lifetime opportunity that I wasn't going to miss. It was amazing and terrifying, and I painstakingly placed my feet exactly where he placed his. I had to trust that he knew what he was doing, and how to safely lead us.
This Sunday, we will hear the story of Jesus calling his first disciples. His invitation was to a group of fishermen who were doing the best they could to make a living. The invitation came with a choice. Would they continue fishing as they always had, hoping for a good catch that would earn their income? Or, would they be willing to leave behind the familiar to place their feet where Christ placed His? That is the question of discipleship for each of us. Are we willing to trust, and follow, Jesus? Or do we let the hold of the familiar, the safe, and the "known'' prevent us from going into the unknown?
Author, theologian, and professor Henri Nouwen, wrote:
"Discipleship without discipline is like waiting to run in the marathon without ever practicing. Discipline without discipleship is like always practicing for the marathon but never participating. It is important, however, to realize that discipline in the spiritual life is not the same as discipline in sports. Discipline in sports is the concentrated effort to master the body so that it can obey the mind better. Discipline in the spiritual life is the concentrated effort to create the space and time where God can become our master and where we can respond freely to God's guidance."
Join us this Sunday in worship as we explore Jesus' call to discipleship, and the discipline we need to let go of what holds us back from receiving and responding to God's guidance. Are we willing to place our feet where Jesus places His? We look forward to seeing you at 9 or 10:30 a.m.
Blessings,
Michelle Andrews