Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. (Luke 18:31)
Take a Moment to Ponder
As we seek to prepare to execute our programme of Intentional Discipleship in the Diocese – the accompanying challenge is how we encourage the widest buy-in of our members. There is a required comradeship with God of which we are afraid. Imagine, the bravery of God in trusting me! He has been unwise to choose me, we say, because there is nothing in me, I am not of any value. But that is why he chose you! As long as you think there is something in you, God cannot choose you, because you will have ends of your own to serve. But if you have Him bring you to the end of your self-sufficiency, then He can choose you to go with Him to Jerusalem. That will mean, the fulfilment of purposes which will be revealed to you as you depend on Him and His power.
We are inclined to say that because a person has natural ability, therefore he/she will make a good Christian. It is not what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us. It is not a matter of strength of character, knowledge, and experience. The only thing that counts is that we are deemed worthy by our trusting God and made his comrades (1 Cor 1:26-30). The comradeship of God is made up out of persons who know their poverty. As Christians we are not out for our own cause at all, we are out for the cause of God, and we are called to maintain our relationship with Him whatever happens. The main thing about Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the atmosphere produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to look after, and it is the one thing that is under continual attack!
Practical Action
Reflect on Christ’s call: “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” and appointed you so that you might go and bring forth fruit – fruit that will last. (John 15:16)
Think of the persons/circumstances that could injure our relationship with God. If it does get injured, what can we do to put it right?
A Moment in Prayer
Dear God; thank you for loving me unconditionally and for transforming all my doubts into certainties. Give me the strength and courage to follow you to Jerusalem, knowing that the promise of Christ that he will rise victorious from the cross will in turn give victory to those who believe in you, our Redeemer and Lord. Amen
Contributed by: Rev. Melrose Wiggan