March 18th, 2025
Covered in the Dust: Practicing the Way of Jesus
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to lose sight of what it truly means to be a follower of Jesus. Many of us claim the label "Christian," but are we truly walking in the footsteps of our Savior? To be a disciple means more than just believing; it means orienting our entire life around the way of Jesus.
Imagine walking so closely behind Jesus that the dust from His sandals covers you. This vivid image from ancient times illustrates what it means to be a true disciple - one who is so near to the teacher that they are quite literally "covered in the dust" of their rabbi. This is the kind of intimate, transformative relationship we're called to have with Christ.
Unfortunately, in our modern culture, Christianity has often been reduced to a set of beliefs rather than a way of life. But as James reminds us, "Even the demons believe—and shudder!" (James 2:19). Clearly, there must be more to following Jesus than intellectual assent.
To be a disciple means choosing to let Jesus lead the way - to direct our life, values, and desires. It's not Jesus's job to follow us; it's our job to follow Him. This requires intentionality and practice. Just as athletes train rigorously to excel in their sport, we must train ourselves in godliness.
The apostle Paul uses this athletic metaphor, urging us to "Run in such a way as to get the prize" (1 Corinthians 9:24). He goes on to say, "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever" (1 Corinthians 9:25).
So how do we train ourselves to follow Jesus more closely? Here are some key practices that can help cultivate Christlikeness in our lives:
1. Sabbath: This practice teaches us to rest in God's love rather than striving for worth through work. It combats overworking, burnout, and lack of trust, while producing peace and joy.
2. Prayer: Prayer cultivates faithfulness and self-control through connection with God. It combats prayerlessness, arrogance, and fear, while building discipline and intimacy with God.
3. Fasting: Fasting trains us to deny our flesh and hunger for God. It breaks the hold of unhealthy desires and helps us find joy in Christ rather than in things.
4. Solitude: This practice allows us to be still before God and free from the noise of the world. It combats distraction and the fear of being alone, while producing peace and gentleness.
5. Scripture: Immersing ourselves in the Bible shapes our minds and helps us live in truth. It combats deception and worldly thinking, while cultivating love, goodness, and faithfulness.
6. Community: Life with others shapes us into Christ-like love. It combats independence and bitterness, while teaching us to serve and be accountable.
7. Generosity: Giving freely breaks greed and opens us to the joy of blessing others. It combats materialism and selfishness, while reflecting God's heart.
8. Service: Serving others crucifies pride and makes us more like Jesus. It combats entitlement and selfish ambition, while producing humility and gentleness.
9. Witnessing: Actively sharing Jesus through words and actions cultivates boldness and love. It combats fear of rejection and spiritual complacency.
10. Worship: Corporate worship aligns our hearts with God's purposes and reminds us of His greatness.
It's important to note that these practices don't make us spiritual in themselves. The Pharisees were experts at religious observance, yet Jesus often rebuked them for their hardened hearts. Rather, these practices till the soil of our hearts, creating space for God to do His supernatural work within us.
This brings us to a crucial point: we need the Holy Spirit's power to truly follow Jesus. The Spirit is not just a giver of good things; He is our teacher. Jesus promised His disciples, "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26).
Too often, we pray for God to simply give us love, joy, or peace. But what if we changed our prayers to, "Holy Spirit, teach me to love" or "teach me to have joy"? This shift invites us into a process of learning and growth, rather than just seeking a quick fix.
As we engage in these practices and invite the Holy Spirit's teaching, we begin to bear the fruit of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). This fruit is evidence of God's supernatural work in our lives, transforming us from the inside out.
It's also vital to remember that we're not meant to walk this path alone. Jesus Himself formed a community of disciples, showing us the importance of doing life together. We need each other for encouragement, accountability, and support as we seek to follow Christ.
As we conclude, let's challenge ourselves to take action. Choose one practice from the list above - perhaps one that makes you a bit uncomfortable - and commit to implementing it this week. Invite the Holy Spirit to teach you through it, and share your intention with a trusted friend for accountability.
Remember, becoming like Jesus is a lifelong journey. We won't achieve perfection overnight, but with consistent practice and reliance on the Holy Spirit, we can grow ever closer to our Savior. May we be found faithful, covered in the dust of our Rabbi, as we follow Him wherever He leads.
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to lose sight of what it truly means to be a follower of Jesus. Many of us claim the label "Christian," but are we truly walking in the footsteps of our Savior? To be a disciple means more than just believing; it means orienting our entire life around the way of Jesus.
Imagine walking so closely behind Jesus that the dust from His sandals covers you. This vivid image from ancient times illustrates what it means to be a true disciple - one who is so near to the teacher that they are quite literally "covered in the dust" of their rabbi. This is the kind of intimate, transformative relationship we're called to have with Christ.
Unfortunately, in our modern culture, Christianity has often been reduced to a set of beliefs rather than a way of life. But as James reminds us, "Even the demons believe—and shudder!" (James 2:19). Clearly, there must be more to following Jesus than intellectual assent.
To be a disciple means choosing to let Jesus lead the way - to direct our life, values, and desires. It's not Jesus's job to follow us; it's our job to follow Him. This requires intentionality and practice. Just as athletes train rigorously to excel in their sport, we must train ourselves in godliness.
The apostle Paul uses this athletic metaphor, urging us to "Run in such a way as to get the prize" (1 Corinthians 9:24). He goes on to say, "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever" (1 Corinthians 9:25).
So how do we train ourselves to follow Jesus more closely? Here are some key practices that can help cultivate Christlikeness in our lives:
1. Sabbath: This practice teaches us to rest in God's love rather than striving for worth through work. It combats overworking, burnout, and lack of trust, while producing peace and joy.
2. Prayer: Prayer cultivates faithfulness and self-control through connection with God. It combats prayerlessness, arrogance, and fear, while building discipline and intimacy with God.
3. Fasting: Fasting trains us to deny our flesh and hunger for God. It breaks the hold of unhealthy desires and helps us find joy in Christ rather than in things.
4. Solitude: This practice allows us to be still before God and free from the noise of the world. It combats distraction and the fear of being alone, while producing peace and gentleness.
5. Scripture: Immersing ourselves in the Bible shapes our minds and helps us live in truth. It combats deception and worldly thinking, while cultivating love, goodness, and faithfulness.
6. Community: Life with others shapes us into Christ-like love. It combats independence and bitterness, while teaching us to serve and be accountable.
7. Generosity: Giving freely breaks greed and opens us to the joy of blessing others. It combats materialism and selfishness, while reflecting God's heart.
8. Service: Serving others crucifies pride and makes us more like Jesus. It combats entitlement and selfish ambition, while producing humility and gentleness.
9. Witnessing: Actively sharing Jesus through words and actions cultivates boldness and love. It combats fear of rejection and spiritual complacency.
10. Worship: Corporate worship aligns our hearts with God's purposes and reminds us of His greatness.
It's important to note that these practices don't make us spiritual in themselves. The Pharisees were experts at religious observance, yet Jesus often rebuked them for their hardened hearts. Rather, these practices till the soil of our hearts, creating space for God to do His supernatural work within us.
This brings us to a crucial point: we need the Holy Spirit's power to truly follow Jesus. The Spirit is not just a giver of good things; He is our teacher. Jesus promised His disciples, "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26).
Too often, we pray for God to simply give us love, joy, or peace. But what if we changed our prayers to, "Holy Spirit, teach me to love" or "teach me to have joy"? This shift invites us into a process of learning and growth, rather than just seeking a quick fix.
As we engage in these practices and invite the Holy Spirit's teaching, we begin to bear the fruit of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). This fruit is evidence of God's supernatural work in our lives, transforming us from the inside out.
It's also vital to remember that we're not meant to walk this path alone. Jesus Himself formed a community of disciples, showing us the importance of doing life together. We need each other for encouragement, accountability, and support as we seek to follow Christ.
As we conclude, let's challenge ourselves to take action. Choose one practice from the list above - perhaps one that makes you a bit uncomfortable - and commit to implementing it this week. Invite the Holy Spirit to teach you through it, and share your intention with a trusted friend for accountability.
Remember, becoming like Jesus is a lifelong journey. We won't achieve perfection overnight, but with consistent practice and reliance on the Holy Spirit, we can grow ever closer to our Savior. May we be found faithful, covered in the dust of our Rabbi, as we follow Him wherever He leads.
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