This is one of the most amazing things I've read, and I just had to share it with you.
"Give people a command for a particular situation, and you help them live appropriately for a day; teach them to think Christianly about behaviour, and they will be able to navigate by themselves into areas where you hadn't given any special instructions." NT Wright
This is what I intend to do with my life if I can just hang on until I can work again. I've long hated the idea of making rules for Christians but it's also true that we can't just "be ourselves", because that may very well be someone very off track with Christian behaviour. I had a good family, even sometimes a moral family, but not one that promoted Christian behaviour by teaching it with lifestyle.
And this is one of the most amazing, although dense, books I've ever read. If you're up for it, pick up a copy of the book in the blog title. You won't be sorry.
Ah, the essence of Christian discipleship....and I wonder, Jody, does it mean that we have to hang on until we work again to do that? (Counting myself in that similar place as I continue to exist in perpetual student purgatory) I mean, it seems this particular season of our life does not come with special instructions, so what better way to live it than live it Christianly. We may not be 'productive' in the way culture might expect us to be - but that does not mean we shouldn't be living for the Kingdom and its advancement.
ReplyDelete(btw, which text is this from, you might have indicated elsewhere, but frankly there are too many to keep up with!)
it's from After You Believe...and although I believe in doing it for/within myself, I also think that's selfish, since I have a burning within me to help others learn. Unfortunately, Lia is a little beyond my grade level so I'll just try not to be grouchy....
ReplyDeleteI totally get the selfish bit. When you primarily interact with is yourself and your family the circle seems pretty small and it can feel a bit more like naval gazing than discipling others with a bit of vision casting and leading by example. Keeping you in prayer, friend - esp. with a precocious child whose view of the world keeps us guessing!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for pointing out the title - my brain just skipped right over that one!