I sit here on my patio writing this having just sat through a large and rumbling thunderstorm. The kind of thunderstorm that keeps you up so late that even the sheep stop counting and start taking melatonin. Moreover, it’s the kind of thunderstorm that leaves you introspective.
Here is the question I find myself asking in my introspection:
"Why are we here?"
I don't mean this in the "existential crisis" sort of way, I mean why are we here? Us Christian Conservatives are right here, right now for a purpose, and it was not by accident. Dr. Jordan Peterson once said that "to stand up straight with your shoulders back is to accept the terrible responsibility of life, with eyes wide open." We have been tasked with the burden of responsible existence and what a beautiful burden it is. We are here, now, on a dutiful quest to bring His light to this world in whatever way we can. Not to falter and question, but to do so with our head held high in holy reverence. But how?
I am reminded of something my pastor said several months back: “You are not a disciple when you get your certification or degree, you are a disciple when you begin to disciple.” What he meant was that, although valuable, no course you take or instructor you learn from can qualify you to disciple. What truly qualifies us to be disciples was that we have been called to disciple. Many years ago, Jesus laid out clearly what the foundation of discipleship is to be, and he did so with the Sermon on the Mount, and the worst part is that much of modern-day discipleship follows a much different guideline than the biblical picture given in Matthew 5. As the wise Admiral Ackbar said, “It’s a trap!”.
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
How many times do we find ourselves yearning for more followers on Twitter, Instagram, or whatever social media we spend our time on? Even churches are creating social media accounts in order to spread their “influence” and spending marketing dollars to grow their followers. Now don’t get it twisted, having the church reach more people is of utmost importance, but what happens when those people show up to that church for the first time? What is it they are met with? What kind of pastor do they hear from, and more importantly, what kind of sermon is brought to them?
My worry is this: when the separated sheep hears a cry and runs to find its flock, is the shepherd willing to ‘leave the 99’, or are they more concerned with growing to 100? Culture shifts, it’s inevitable. Jesus doesn’t. His foundation in the Beatitudes remain unaltered and so should discipleship be. The same goes for us Average Joes. Are we more concerned about our calling of meekness, hunger, peacemaking, and everything that Matthew 5 tells us to be, or are we focused on what number appears above the “Followers” section?
We were called to be shepherds regardless of whether we preach from a pulpit or are just having a passing conversation while waiting for coffee. We were called to be shepherds that are willing to put aside our personal ambitions momentarily (and sometimes permanently) for the sake of one sheep. That is why we are here. We are here because we are called for a higher responsibility, and make no mistake, it is not a simple and painless task. It is one filled with judgement, consternation, persecution, and yet I can think of no higher honor.
I’ll leave you with this: The reason we are here is because we were called for more than mere "existence" and directionless discipleship. We are to be something more, something greater, to serve something without end (Revelation 1:8). We get the opportunity to face whatever this world may throw at us, and we get to do it with our shoulders back and eyes wide open.
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