Check it out, and the rest of this will make a little more sense.
Imago Dei Community :: Benchmark of Sacrifice: Home
It is talking about how Jesus challenged the disciples to come with Him. In it, the three examples given really hit home with me. Right now, in this Lenten season, I'm seeing how many things in my life have kept me from following Him.
What is the first thing I do when I get home?
Well, besides go to the bathroom and change into sweatpants, I usually turn on the TV. We don't have fancy cable, and generally there isn't anything really good on and I don't actually watch a lot of it. However, I have this need to turn it on. It is almost like this sense of security, that no matter what is going on, I can always depend on the TV to be whisked away from my own mind. Luke 9:61-62 provides and example of the distracted disciple, a situation I often find myself. In reality, the TV provides an unending distraction from the relationships around me, the work I could be getting done and the rest I really need.
Sometimes I think I'm a little obsessive compulsive when it comes to efficiency.
Not in a mathematical or even scientific way. But in a very unique, individual way. I often find myself plotting out when/how I'm going to do things based on the most efficient use of my time and energy. This is not to say I don't waste a colossal amount of time on really insignificant things, but like I said, a very unique way. When I take a shower I always make sure to wash and rinse my hair first then apply the conditioner to set and wash the rest of my body while that conditioner 'conditions' because heaven knows I can't afford those extra 3 minutes. I think my 'efficiency' is really motivated by laziness. At least, I'm pretty sure that is my motivation. Luke 9:59-60 is an example of the convenient disciple. What was his motivation? To avoid duty, a calling, conviction? What is my motivation to do or NOT do things?
Sweat pants, food, blankets, elastic waistbands, central air/forced heat, electricity, fill in the blank for all the comfortable things out there.
I'm pretty sure something like over 90% of the things I have and that exists in the world are for comfort. What do I work for? Comfort. What do I look forward to at the end of the day? Comfort. I can find comfort in oh, so many places too. In food, friends, the Internet, the TV, my possessions, my family, my job, the hope of a better pay check, etc. Luke 9:57-58 talks about the comfortable disciple. As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.'Jesus replied, 'Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.
During this season of Lent, I'm learning how much this passage is true of me. In this time of reflection, Jesus response to this disciple is much like a response to me. That following Him is not about my comfort, convenience or distraction for the 'hard' things. It is about Him. What He did. It is funny what true comfort is in those, sometimes, hard to hear words.
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