Pastor's Perspective: More on Discipleship

Disciples of Jesus learn from him and seek his guidance in all things. When we have
clear guidance, we are to follow it, that is, to follow him. This guidance comes directly
from his own words in the Gospels, but also from his first disciples, Paul, Peter, John
and the other New Testament writers.

What if Jesus didn’t mean to make it that hard? What if we are really just supposed to
be able to do what he said?

He said that when we give alms (offerings) we should not make a big show of it, nor
seek reward, but just to give with a cheerful heart. We don’t need to go into a long
dissertation about why it’s hard to give or what complicates our lives. We really can just
simply share of our blessings with cheerful hearts.

He said that we are to forgive others as we have been forgiven. We don’t need to hold
a seminar on whether to demand apologies first, or which sins need to be forgiven and
which not. We can just forgive. We can.

He wanted us to gather as a family of faith and praise God and love one another. So
let’s just do that. This is not rocket science, as they say, so let’s just do it. Come to
worship and show compassion for each other. Simple.

He told us to care for the poor. OK, let’s.

He told us to not worry about tomorrow, but to try to live as if God were really in charge
of our lives now. Why not? What is really stopping us?

He told us not to speak unkindly to or about each other. Good idea. Let’s do that, too.

He told us to trust in his grace and love. He said that if we would do that, we’d have
abundant and eternal life. So trust him. He’s not kidding and he doesn’t lie.

He told us to invite others to be baptized, and to spread his teachings. I say, OK, let’s
do that.

And he told us that we have no need to fear; we are his forever. I say good riddance to
fear. Follow Christ. Wherever he leads will be better than anyplace we could find on
our own.

Together we can do more!

Pr. Scott Cady