DiscipleshipSample

A long and winding road

Our world is full of people and institutions advertising their wares. We’re told how much our lives would be improved if only we bought what they were selling. And no one seems to be offering us bucketloads of trouble: it’s all sweetness and light; all plain sailing.

When Jesus invited people to follow Him, He didn’t engage in this sort of soft-sell promotion. He told His followers that not only would they have joy but also pain and sorrow. He didn’t promise an armchair ride to heaven, sailing over and above the muck and mess of humanity. It’s a pity that some of His followers don’t imitate this pattern. They rightly want others to embrace Jesus and so may be tempted to sugar coat the issue of discipleship. 'Come to Jesus and your problems are solved and any pain can be swept aside through prayer. It’s a false promise.

It’s not as if discipleship is one long miserable path till we finally enjoy the bliss of heaven. There’s joy, there’s encouragement, and above all there’s the promised presence of Jesus. If we liken following Jesus to being in an athletic race, it’s more of a marathon than a sprint.

And furthermore, Jesus doesn’t just fire the starting gun to send us on our way. Nor is He simply at the finish line urging us on. Rather, He’s right beside us every step of our sometimes long and winding road.

Written by DAVID REAY