Can we be dedicated to prayer?
Can we be dedicated to eating and drinking the life of Jesus?
Can we be dedicated to drenching our minds in Scripture?
Can we be dedicated to serving the less fortunate?
Can we be dedicated to silence and solitude?
This fall LivingZugos.com will be enthusiastically committed to providing creative experiments in these 5 essential disciplines. I really believe if we practice these at least as much as we eat ice cream, play tennis and jog around the block we will, by the Spirit of Jesus be more and more transformed into His glorious image. The World is waiting for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. May we start to show up and make a difference in the name of Jesus.
Can we be dedicated to these disciplines? Is it too hard? Is it to crazy to ask that we put these disciplines into practice? Could a suburban group of people become disciples of Jesus and mean it? Would we be ashamed? Would we only talk about it with each other? Or could we share our lives with others who are desperately searching for something real and significant?
I wonder what would happen?
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2 comments:
Question for you....
What are you thoughts on individuality?
Does the individual fit into your worldview of becoming transformed into 'his glorious image' as you put it.
And tell your brother I said hi! ;-)
Long time no chat Bill! I hope things are going well.
Being transformed into the image of Jesus is not taking on His physical aspects, whatever they may be, but taking on aspects of His inner character.
Individuality still exists in each and every person, which is by God's design, no doubt. But their is now with the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus a new way of life to be lived. A life of individuality for sure, but within a larger and more purposeful context of community. That way of life is lived in Jesus kingdom which has now invaded the current world system.
Individuality is like baseball. Every professional baseball player has a specific position they play: pitcher, catcher, short-stop, center fielder, etc. They are all baseball players, but they also have additional identities within the sport. And just because there may be 100 catchers in MLB doesn't mean they are all the same. They have uniqueness' of their own; some are outstanding at preventing steals, some never miss a pop up, some 'gel' well with a certain pitcher, etc.
So, when we follow Jesus and trust Him, we begin the process of transformation into His image much like a adolescent boy in a matter of a decade transforms into a professional baseball player.
The reason it is 'glorious' is because the character traits that begins to develop are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and discipline. This is what the world needs so badly.
This is what Jesus was like and He wants us to be like Him. That is His intention for human beings. My identity in Jesus doesn't eliminate my other identities; it places all other worldly identities in their proper order.
Colossians 3.10-11
"10 and [we] have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-- 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all."
Sorry for the lengthy response, let me know if you have any further questions. Good to hear from you!
Seek the kingdom,
Jon