and It’s a Spiritual Issue….

Life is full of invitations.  Some are expected; like that invitation to your niece’s wedding this summer.  Some are a pleasant surprise: a gala party invitation, for instance. Other invitations can seem like a dreaded obligation.

All invitations require a response.

We may excitedly accept the invitation and prepare for the event with a keen sense of anticipation. 

We may grudgingly accept the invitation as obligatory, or the “nice” thing to do.

We may ignore the invitation.

Jesus issues an invitation to all of us. He invites us to follow him; to live as he lived. 

And the BIG question: Why?

Why would I feel compelled to follow Jesus?  Why would anyone follow this radical, outspoken, counter cultural, Jewish rabbi?

From the day he invited his first followers, people have been wondering what this “following” Jesus might entail? How will we know if we are on the right track?  Will it make a real difference in our lives  and communities?

Amidst the doubt and wonder, we may be nudged into a different way of living.

We may not need to change careers, move to another continent, and give up all we own to follow this Jesus…but…we may. We will certainly need to give up ourselves.

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That will mean making sure that all others have what you think you need yourself.

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We will need to change our minds, our attitudes, and our actions in order to really be a follower. That will mean making sure that all others have what you think you need yourself.  It will mean a world without discrimination, racism or sexism.

 

Jesus invites ordinary people to re-purpose their lives and follow him.  Perfection is not expected or possible.  We clumsily make our way, making the path as we walk it, beginning anew each day. 

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We clumsily make our way, making the path as we walk it, beginning anew each day.

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Why? Because Jesus’ way of running the world here and now is through his followers. All are invited!

Next time, more on how to be a “follower” and why you would even consider that way of life.

 

Gerri Harvill is a  third career, retired  Local Pastor from the United Methodist Church. She, along with Stan Norman, co-lead the follow community.  She believes that following Jesus, is indeed, a Spiritual Isssue that drives our day to day living to fulfillment. Her goal is to help provide a space and experience for a nurturing community that gathers to follow Jesus by praying, learning, and caring for others.