"The transformation from one who is an admirer and follower of Christ (Peter), to one who is then converted, is emotional, theological, spiritual --- all of the above. Countless men have given messages and tried to write books about how to "accomplish" it in your life, tried to design recipes to work through, steps to take, rituals to practice. I've listened, I've followed. In my experience it's not like that. All those plans, however righteous, are man-made strategies, the very best that men can do. Discipleship reaches deeper than these. I fear most of my friends who are members (of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) are still like Peter was...wanting to be around Christ, eager to step out and strike a blow for Christ (perhaps, like Peter, a bit too eager on occasion), steadfastly willing to take the fight to the enemy and perhaps die in doing so, in the name of Christ. But they do not yet understand what Christ is doing or what His mission is, or what He truly desires, or what He really expects of us. (Mark 8:21, 4:13, 4:40)"
This paragraph written to me by a friend of another faith in reference to how my conversion and religion has missed the boat, so to speak, of how to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It has caused me considerable reflection on what I think about Christ and what He expects of me, and if my life and religion reflects that. Do I understand what Christ is doing, what His mission is, what He desires and expects of us?
Well, what does He expect of us? I think what Christ expects of us is summarized in Matthew 22:36-40 "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." I think Christ expects us to love God, and to love His Children. "By THIS shall men know ye are my disciples, IF ye have LOVE one to another" John 13:35. This is how I judge my own conversion to Christianity, and others as well, by the way they love God and God's children. I think all of the commandments hang on these two laws. I think Christ wants us to learn to love Him and serve one another. And this is the greatest manifestation of true conversion and Christianity. According to this, would others have cause to believe that I was Christian? What about my church?
When I lived in Maryland and worked for The Heritage Foundation, I had the opportunity to go on a field trip of sorts, with the people I worked with. We all loaded up on a bus, and went down to witness the good work of a Christian ministry that had turned around a very desperate neighborhood. Over 80% of the residents lived in government subsidized housing. Drug use, crime rates and gang activity was rampant, and incarceration rates for teens were higher than high school graduation rates. A couple of Christian guys, with personal background in the street and gangs, had a conversion and turned their lives to Christ. They decided they wanted to give back and went in search across the US for one of the most desperate communities they could find. The started out in California and stopped their search in this slum in Virginia. They heard about the violence children witnessed, the gang culture, and the crime, and wanted to make a difference in the lives of children. They bought a bus and drove it to the projects every morning. They would tell the kids to get on the bus, and they would be taken to a community center to do activities, get help with school work, be fed a meal, and delivered back home in the evening. They did this for years. At first only a few kids came. But then more and more came. They were fed. They were clothed. They were loved. They participated in programs. And then the went home.
The pastor was dynamic and real and genuine. He himself had seen his mother murdered in front of his eyes when he was 9, and turned to drugs and gangs for support. On the verge of helplessness and suicide he stumbled into a church and talked to a pastor who shared his love. He found a new meaning for life, and changed. Covered in tattoos and fresh with the experience of the reality of the street, Geronimo can relate to these children. But he is also glowing with a conversion to Jesus Christ. Soon the high school drop out rates started changing. Violence and gang activity decreased. A culture was changing among teens and the entire community came to The Rock. The entire city turned around in about 10 years. It was nothing short of a miracle. And I knew that these people were Christians. I felt it deep in my heart.
When we met with the pastor and learned of his ministry, I was more than touched. I learned, first hand, what it looked like to reach out to the sick and afflicted, to feed the poor, to succor those that stand in need of succor. I saw in the eyes of this pastor something that was just a dog-and-pony show. He loved the poor. And so did the members of his church. They loved one another. And they loved others. Immediately. And it changed everyone that came into its reaches. It was not the full bodied mission of the Church I knew with all it's programs and rites and traditions. They only focused on one aspect of Christianity- love. But somehow this seemed more important than anything else in the world. It was the friendliest place I have ever been. Everything they did was with love. All of them were on fire with love. I was changed. I knew that this is what Christ meant when he asked us to "Love one another as I have loved you". I knew they were witnesses for Christ.
I went home changed. When I went to my congregation that week I felt more than a little bit of sadness at what I perceived as the shallowness of depth of commitment to the Christian creed. What I saw, through changed eyes, were many insecure and posturing young adults, very concerned about themselves, how they looked, who they were dating, wanting to do good, but very casual about the covenants of service they were making.
I started to wonder if other Christian churches had the same feel as the Richmond Virginia ministry. I started looking up other Christian churches in the area, and just showing up as a stranger to see the common culture and interactions. Some were similarly mired in their culture and comfort zones. Others were new, fresh, and awake to the Christian creed of love and friendliness. It caused me great angst that I did not learn, or feel, or see often enough the kind of friendliness and love I thought fitting for disciples of Jesus Christ. It bothered me and made me wonder why the true church of Christ was not a hallmark of charity and friendship for all the world to see, a light to the world of service and love.
I have felt this love over and over again since. I have felt this kind of Christian love in my Church as well. But I'd have to say sometimes it's a battle to push back the self-centered dating culture to get a ward to focus on Christ-like service to each other, let alone others outside of the congregation. Yet, I know this is the hallmark of discipleship. I know it is what our leaders strive for and are exhorting and urging us to embrace. I know it is possible, while not always a reality. I am endlessly curious to find those true disciples of Christ, in all faith traditions, who truly have taken it upon themselves to bear one anothers' burdens that they may be light, to mourn with those who mourn and to comfort those who stand in need of comfort. By THIS shall men know ye are my disciples. How do we create a culture of discipleship? Even further, how to we force our focus outside of ourselves and onto Christ and serving His children when our lives, especially as singles, are so absorbed with self-focused endeavors?
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