Means, Methods, & Jesus
The other night I was at the table helping one of our high school children with math. Now, when I say I was helping I really mean I was present and my wife, the math whiz, was doing the assistance while I supported. She was plotting graphs and using means, modes, methods, and all sorts of other mathematical jargon to solve the problem. I remember being in high school and I would always get those mixed up, throwing off my answers. One of my main issues in solving was keeping straight what each term means and requires.
It got me thinking, not mathematical thoughts, but Jesus’ thoughts. We are called to “Follow Him” which means, to apprentice Jesus. John Mark Comer in his book, Practicing the Way says, “Being a disciple means we are ultimately called to, Be with Jesus, Become like Jesus, and Do what Jesus did.” It begins with a genuine surrender or willingness to be a learner, but it also requires us to put into practice what we are learning. Disciple is a noun. It is a person who is in constant transformation as they practice what their master says and does.
In this process, like in math, it is important to remember our means, method, and purpose. Our purpose is to follow, or our goal is to become like Jesus by the means of imitating and seeking relationship with him. The method of this process is to be reading scripture, worshiping, praying, putting in action what he has taught, and disciplining ourselves in a process of a renewal of mind. The end or goal in all of this, is not the methods in which we do it. Remember the goal is being more like Jesus by deepening our relationship.
One mistake we often make is shifting the goal on the methods themselves. So, if we are filling our schedule with bible studies for the sole purpose of having more knowledge or we think that is the goal of following, we will lose sight. Spiritual disciplines, praying, and even worshiping should never become the focus or goal in our apprenticeship. We practice those methods in order to deepen our relationship with God. Even our learning about God, in study and other means, is not to have more knowledge but it is to be transformed by that knowledge.
Education professionals use summative assessments to chart progress. Don’t worry, there isn’t an exam! But as we follow Jesus, the summative assessment we can use is the love assessment. Do I love Jesus more and do I demonstrate his love even more to others? Have I grown in that love? How have you changed the way you treat people or talk to people? Paul would say in 1 Corinthians that all of those other methods mean nothing if we are not growing and demonstrating that love.
Psalm 25:4-5 says, “Show me the right path, O Lord. Point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your Truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” As I read that verse this morning, I was yet again reminded of the beauty and work of apprenticeship. It is us going to God for the right paths (decisions) for us to follow (imitate Jesus). Not just reading about him but allowing ourselves to be taught and trust what he says. He delivers and is steadfast, which means he will not disappoint us. Therefore, we can put our hope in HIM, not the methods in which we can know about him. We invite you to join us into a deeper understanding of what it means to be an apprentice and we journey together following after Jesus.
