Conversation Point

Defining Moments

How many ways can life change as a result of unattended to choices?

Step off a curb into oncoming traffic before the light changes and we take our lives into our own hands. Wait a few moments, traffic comes to a halt and safe passage across the street is secured. Eat whatever we choose, ignore our health in every possible way and suddenly, a stroke or heart attack puts us into a hospital bed hooked up to monitors that go beep in the night. Choose to care for ourselves over the course of time, eating properly, drinking enough water, sleeping and exercising in appropriate proportions and we live long, stable lives. Spend time with people who are miserable, unwilling to examine their lives, grow as human beings or treat other people with respect and bit by bit, our lives get worn down to dimly lit nothingness. Seek out people who inspire us, share joy and peace just by being and our lives become filled with light and new life.

As we near completion of our wilderness journey, it becomes increasingly clear that faith is not a once and done decision, but a series of choices that shape our lives over time.

Discipleship was tricky business for the New testament Twelve. Called and welcomed to what became a three year apprenticeship with a carpenter's son, they signed on for what they assumed would be a glorious future filled with redemption and hope. They expected the world to change with magnificent military triumph that would bring Israel back to the full power of its past. "Now it happened that as he was praying alone the disciples were with him; and he asked them, 'Who do the people say that I am?' and they answered, 'John the Baptist; but others say Elijah, and others, that one of the old prophets has risen.' And he said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' And Peter answered, 'The Christ of God.' But he charged and commanded them to tell this to no one saying, 'The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised (Luke 9:18-22)."

Imagine their surprise and confusion as this thread was woven in and out of the tapestry of those three years they spent together. Teaching, healing, praying, public speaking, walking from town to town, living among the people, tending to their own lives and families, only to be reminded that Jesus didn't expect anything to come of it all but his own death. Who would raise him from the dead if he were dead himself? Courageous and obedient as they were, we cannot blame the disciples for not quite getting it, no matter how many times Jesus spoke with them about the future. We cannot blame them for not wanting to consider losing their leader, teacher and friend, let alone the whole hope for their people.

But what wasn't lost on them was that this was a lifetime commitment, something to which they would be giving of themselves consistently and fully. "And he said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23)."

And so we are called, welcomed to continue the teaching, healing, praying, public speaking, traveling from town to town, living among the people of God and tending to our own lives and our families. We are called to remember that Jesus' life and work did mean something, then and now, and will continue to through all of us who live our moments defined by this belief.

posted by Cory L. Kemp @ 7:28 PM