The Life of A Disciple in One Word

The meta-narrative of Christianity is that the children of God are trapped. Bound, blinded, lost in the dark and suffering; we long for some kind of peace and ecstasy but can’t find it. So God comes as a deliverer; He comes to loose; He comes to unbind; He comes for one thing – freedom.

What is it about St. Pope John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa (just to use obvious examples) that seizes us, makes our heart sit up in its chair and say, “I see something and I want it?” What makes those two seem like they are always standing on the top of a mountain? It’s just this simple: Love has set them free. That’s what it’s all about.

The heart of a disciple is one that more and more gives way to the entrance of the King (the Deliverer), who comes to remove painful toxins in us and pull out threads that have grown into our skin. Following Jesus essentially means surrendering to Him and letting Him lead His Mission of deliverance ‘out there,’ but in us too.

And thank God! We have so much gunk in our hearts and minds that can hang like clouds in winter or weigh us down like suitcases at an airport. There are foxes in our vineyards that steal our joy! Over and over again we choose to be unhappy, because we’re a little insane. We were born in a polluted land and are trapped in a haze – we can’t see like we should. We are not free.

So come on in Jesus! Lead this revolution! Save us from indifference, from disobedience, from distrust, from using others and from yielding to fear! There is simply nothing our King wants to do more. He is here to liberate.

And then the coup de grâce – He liberates us enough to take us with Him on this mission. Having been freed to some extent, we are anointed to spread this freedom; we are empowered to loosen chains! What a crazy life we are offered. Like Pinocchio being given the wand (though magic isn’t the best analogy), we who were under the reign of death can now offer the freedom of life to others. What a thunderous gift – and responsibility.

Let’s take some time to think about this: there is nothing in us that keeps us from loving with abandon and living in a zealous peace and joy – nothing – from which Jesus will not free us.

You have issues? You have heartache? Are you stuck in habitual patterns of sin? Are you bored? Are you lonely? Do you seem to be a puppet to anxiety? Do you have issues you don’t even let yourself think about? Do you feel helpless? Fear not and let fly a tremendous, blue-sky hope. Jesus comes with a holy fury to break every single bond of the enemy that keeps His children down. He comes to cast away every cloud of darkness. One day soon, for real, (and little by little, leap by leap until then) they will all be gone.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

So, be more His disciple! Surrender more to Jesus, who calls more out of you than you can handle, but who only calls for your freedom. Let His Kingdom come; let His Love accomplish its purpose in you. Further up and further in, brothers and sisters!