April 20, 2016

Last week, while away at clergy conference, I wrote about the 7-step process of discipleship that was originally published by Forward Movement in 1934.  Over the next seven weeks I want to use this space to focus on each step.

The first step in this discipleship process is Turn.

This idea of turning has at its core an understanding that this is a repetitive act.  It begins at our baptism when we, or people on our behalf, are asked, “Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?”  It is asked again in the Baptismal Covenant when all present are asked, “Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?”

As we read through Exodus or Judges, we may be tempted to show a lack of sympathy or empathy to the Israelites for their repeated failings.  Whining about being led away from slavery.  Complaining about not having enough food to eat.  Worshiping a golden calf.  Forgetting what the Lord had done for them and, once again, doing evil in the sight of the Lord.  The Israelites were indeed a stiff-necked people, refusing to bow down before the Lord.

But if we are honest with ourselves, we need to admit that we are no different.  We continually put our relationship with God on the back burner in favor things that give us immediate gratification.  We allow our personal treasures to dictate where our heart is rather than work to have our treasures reflect the heart of God.  We belligerently maintain a position of rightness without seeing how our words and actions hurt those around us, or without taking the time to listen and honestly consider that we might be wrong.  We are indeed a stiff-necked people.

With all of the temptations, personal desires, and selfish interests facing us every day, it's important to recognize that we are in constant need of turning back to the Lord.  We need to admit that we aren't going in the right direction, either through our thoughts, words, or actions.  We need to be willing to ask, “Is this what God would have me think/say/do?”  And we need to be willing to accept that the answer just might be, “No,” and repent and return to the Lord.

The other part of willingly turning to the Lord is to understand that God may send you on a journey you don't think you're prepared for.  Moses turned aside and was sent to lead the Israelites to freedom.  The disciples turned away from their various businesses and were sent to proclaim a new way of relating to God.  History is full of people who turned to the Lord and did amazing things.  History is also full of people who turned to the Lord and simply managed to live their lives a little better.

Every day we are given the opportunity to begin again.  Every day we are given the opportunity to live for others, not just ourselves.  Every day we are given the opportunity to treat another person with dignity and respect.  Every day we are given the opportunity to listen to what God would have us do.

This day, will you turn to the Lord?

Amen.