Deeply Devoted Disciples

For years a pastor friend of mine and I have shared similar spiritual musings in parallel places, unbeknown to each other, he in Michigan (currently) I in California. Stephen has tried to entice me to ministry with him, but God has not seen fit to allow, yet in our current state, the opportunity seems to be moving such that we can minister together in separate places.

Something is afoot. The fingerprints of God touching, leaving His impression on listening hearts, as always, in similar veins within His deeply devoted disciples. What is Jesus doing now? Always asking this question, it seems that as I look around, I can see that His fingerprints confirm what is in my heart, His stirrings, the similar movement of His people everywhere I look; the movement to make disciples. If this is not evidence of Himself, then surely there must be some strange 'harmony' of deeply devoted, immersed leaders as followers in the church, my pastor, Brian, my friend and another pastor, Stephen, and others I engage as leaders in God's movement. I carefully chose not the word 'church', because it, like so many other forms of religion is too encumbered with baggage.

It is a movement. A calling. The essence of our 'job' here on earth. Jesus did and told us to 'go and make disciples'. Not of ourselves, disciples of Him.

You see, my pastor (Brian)at home, has been touting the lack of discipleship in the church, and pressing us via the spirit, his sermons, and leading, to engage in the deep accountability of our members for quite some time now, and I find it interesting that in the small church, and in the heart of my friend's small church, Stephen is wrestling with this as well. However, in his church, he finds his hands being tied by the people and all the 'church baggage' that they bring every week.

We are people. Prideful. Arrogant. We want our way. In fact we even want God our way. He sits in heaven humored by our meager attempts at being Him and conjuring up our 'take' on Him while saddened by where it leads us; away from His love, His blessing, His glorious desires for His people. He is not interested in our perception of He and His leading; He is God. He is not interested in catering to us, giving in to our bane requests, or empty hearts, He is God. He will respond to the request of genuine hearts, seeking hearts and transforming hearts, He is God. He sees clearly and purely into each heart, unwrapping the complexities of our motives and desires, knowing at our deepest level, if our hearts are genuine, He is God!

For those who choose to listen and do, quietly, gracefully, honorably, powerfully, He moves in the hearts of His people. It is a movement that will warm the weary while winding up the wrath of the arrogant. Interestingly, never before in our nation has there been a time where most have seen 'church' but not seen God. The God they have seen is a contortion of those who claim to be His followers, Phariseeical in word and deed, respected by others who have bought their form of leadership, and most want no part. Like the leaders of the synagogue the Pharisees) at the time, Jesus took them on and they rose to stir the people to confirm and require His death; Jesus himself winding up the wrath of the arrogant.

One true test of a diligent follower of Christ is the lack of such arrogance, or, when it wields its ugly head, the beating down of such acts and brokenness before their Master. I have seen such in others, and desire such in my life. The life of the apostle Paul was lived as one such person, bold for his leader, humble in service. Paul was one such deeply devoted disciple, in discipline, service, calling and life. Most of us make the excuse that we are nor never will be a Paul. Is it time to release the excuses and press toward being more like a Paul every day? In the words of D.L. Moody, why can't I be 'that man'? Or at least more like him?