Until that day everything had been different. They could remain in obscurity, pursuing their work as the quiet in the land, observing the law. and waiting for the coming of the Messiah. But now he has come, and his call goes forth. Faith can no longer mean sitting still and waiting - they must rise and follow him. The call frees them from all earthly ties, and binds them to Jesus Christ alone. They must burn their boats and plunge into absolute insecurity in order to learn the demand and the gift of Christ.' (Bonhoeffer 1959)
The above is a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffers book 'The call to Discipleship'. I am studying it as part of my research project for uni but am finding it so challenging as well.
This chapter titled 'The call to discipleship' really excites me. Its basically about moving forwards, following Jesus, stepping out of the boat and taking risks. All in order to follow Him who gives each of us specific callings.
I think that this is a season where I am thinking a lot about my future calling. I am coming to the end of my three year youth work degree and am busy thinking and praying through the next steps. I feel like they could potentially be pretty big ones and potentially a little bit scary. Steps that would require faith and a bit of a miracle really. But I feel the Lord building my faith and preparing me to believe for the unbelievable and seemingly unatainable. The book goes on to say 'Peter had to leave the ship and risk his life on the sea, in order to learn both his own weakness and the almightly power of his Lord. If Peter had not taken the risk, he would never have learnt the meaning of faith.' (Bonhoeffer 1959)
RISK. The big R word. Risk is scary and leaves us a bit open and a bit vulnerable but boy is it worth it in the end!!! A friend once sent me the following and whenever im feeling a bit open and a bit vulnerable at a step forwards iv just made I read this:
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach out to others is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self
To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk failure
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to do nothing
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, and is nothing
They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live
Chained by their attitudes, they are a slave, they forfeited their freedom
Only the person who risks can be free.
So I guess what I am saying is lets go for it. Lets step forwards and be risk takers and 'leave the boat', lets be people who grasp the meaning of faith, leaning on His word and His direction.
Exciting times ahead!!!!!!
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