Years ago, the first time I went on retreat, I immersed myself in prayer, scripture, worship and the writings of Bernard of Clairveaux. His passion for God was so fervent, at one point I remember praying, “Oh Lord, set my heart on fire!” Right away a response came in my mind: “Do you know what you’re asking? My fire burns away everything that is not of me, everything.” I thought of all those references to God as a refiner’s fire, a consuming fire, and I felt I was being offered a choice – the “high road” of full commitment to the way of Jesus, or the lower, slower way of mixed motives and divided devotions. I chose the slow road, the messier way. Do I have some company?
The teachings we’ve been wrestling with this week are about this choice. Jesus is telling those who would follow his way that they need to walk away from the claims of this world, family and money. “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.” James in his epistle says even more starkly, “Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
Did Jesus really mean we should hate this life we’ve been given? The passage from Deuteronomy appointed for this same Sunday urges us to “Choose life.” “…today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him…”
I believe that Jesus invites us to choose the life that is the most real, the most true, the most eternal; the God-life, visible to the eyes of faith, not mere world-life apparent to our physical senses. “I have come that they may have life, and have it in abundance,” he says. (John 10:10). He invites us to leave behind all that distracts us from receiving the abundance of love, joy, peace, grace, forgiveness, healing – and ministry – that God offers us.
I chose the slow road, the “middle way” – we Episcopalians often walk in the middle of the road. Over the years, as my commitment has sharpened, I believe this is also a kingdom path. The God whom Jesus revealed to us is one who meets us on any road we’re on, whenever we turn away from the emptiness allegiance to the world brings us. This Father in heaven rushes out to greet his children as we come back to ourselves and back to our true home.
What are you afraid God might “take away” if you offered yourself more fully as a disciple of Christ?
What commitments hold you back from a deeper commitment to the Way of following Jesus?
Can you offer that list to God and invite the Spirit to loosen your grip?
What friends have you made on the road?
When have you experienced the Father’s greeting?
When have you experienced the Holy Spirit guiding you, protecting you, strengthening you?
Write down those stories – other people might want to hear them.
The original name for Christ followers was “The People of the Way.”
If we’re on the road with Jesus, guided by the Holy Spirit, I believe we'll get home.
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