Discipleship - some extra thoughts
Hi all,
I had a few thoughts after my last posting. It kept coming to my mind that we all wish to seek happiness. That one benefit of following Jesus or looking for God is that we are seeking happiness. But what is happiness. Our last lesson does not mention happiness. Let’s look:’
Matthew 5:3-12 (the Message)
3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of
you there is more of God and his rule.
4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you.
Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no
more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything
that can't be bought.
6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's
food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,'
you find yourselves cared for.
8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and
heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead
of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your
place in God's family.
10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution.
The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11-12 "Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people
put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What
it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.
You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though
they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are
in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this
kind of trouble.
I tend to read many versions before I create and post a study. The Message
was one of the versions I read, but Wednesday night it hit me with more
power. I am to seek happiness, but CONTENTMENT.
Look at verse 5 – Blessed when you are content with just who you are.
Yep, I have reached some degree of contentment in my life. Then I thought about my father. My Dad, he passed away in June, 2005. He had leukemia. They suspected such for many years, but diagnosed it during the summer on 2004. In September, 2004 he had his first round of chemotherapy treatment. He had 3 treatments all together. He was able to extend his life by 9 months. Dad was content with who he was and his life. He had no regrets as he knew in the last 30 days he was dying. I think back and realize that to some extent, even thou I would no longer have him around to talk to (he was great to bounce ideas off of); that he and I both knew what would be happening.
There is a contentment that can be reached by all, the ultimate contentment that life here on earth is to allow us to serve God to the best of our ability then move on to glory in a new body in heaven. This ultimate contentment is not easy to find.
Happiness seems to be what the world confuses with; that we are to seek happiness. We are to seek to do that which we are “good” at. BUT what has God called you to do? Where is it that God is working? Why can’t we join in to where God is working? Do we always have to start something new?
Churches have many areas that one can get involved in. Giving money or tithing is good, but it isn’t what God calls you to do. Being a disciple means opening one’s eyes and trying to find out where God is working. Did you know that when you look for where God is working, God will then draw you into the ministry God has called you to do?
Becoming a disciple of God – has many benefits and many draw backs. Look again at the passage above. Do you find happiness or contentment listed?
Vs 5 – contentment with self
Vs 6 – seek God, have an appetite for God and God’s creation
Vs 7 – care like God cares
Vs 8 – put your mind and heart right with God and guess what –
you will see where God is working, (then as a disciple of God – join
in)
Vs 9 – show people how to cooperate – “make peace”
Vs 10-12 – persecution for your commitment, or maybe just misunderstanding
and too many questions as to why you are doing what you do
What a challenge.
As I said in my last post:
“Mt. 6:34 says – we can handle it because nothing, yes NOTHING
will be more than you can handle. No matter what skills you have or don’t
have, no matter what energy level you have, no matter what physical limitations
you may have; no matter the type of finances you may or may not have –
you will succeed, because GOD is on YOUR SIDE!!”
Please don’t feel you can not become a disciple. You already are, now we just need to get you a bit of training then tell the world “LOOK OUT here I come to work for GOD”
God’s servant,
alyce