by Alexander Kaye
The Lord is blessing me abundantly.
He has filled in what was hollow and gave rest to what was restless.
He let me know who I am and whose I am.
Through these beautiful workings, He has made Himself manifest.
Through these things I feel His presence.
Through His amazing provisions He has made me His.
The Christian life is to share this joy and to strive to be like Him in all that we do.
Though it is no easy undertaking, we know He will be with us and is working through us.
Lord, I pray that we anchor ourselves in you.
That every decision we make is a Biblical decision.
That in everything we do we strive to reflect you.
We thank you for your love, your unutterable love.
As I waited for the car that would take us to church on my first weekend at Bowdoin, some nervous thoughts darted across my mind. My reputation would be thoroughly “Christianified,” I thought to myself; The first thing people will know about me is that I am a Christian, I lamented, as I noticed curious glances directed towards us. It was a public declaration of faith that I was not used to and it made me uncomfortable.
Back in Tokyo, where my home is, my faith was quite a private one. I went to church on Sundays, but in some ways I was like the figures depicted in Tocqueville’s Democracy in America who on “the seventh day of each week” enter into a “brief” moment of “meditation” and “repose.” In the days prior to and after the seventh, I was “agitated,” “restive,” and “active” with my worldly life. Perhaps doing slightly better than that, I prayed often but had many idols (earthly distractions) and my life was not as Christ-centred as it is now.
When I reflect on it, however, being seen waiting for a car on Sunday mornings should not be the only declaration that we are Christians. There is an “aroma” (2 Cornthians 2:15-17 NIV) that comes with being a Christian and a radiance (Psalm 34:5 NIV) that cannot be ignored. It can be discomforting for those witnessing it and it can be uncomfortable for those emanating it, too. Christians are moths that gravitate towards the lamp that is the Word of God while the rest of the world shy away from that light. And the message is clear: we are compelled by God as Christians to be the light in this world; and taking on this discipleship is difficult.
Indeed, approaching the light is not an immediately attractive option either. We have to leave the glittering world behind:
“He [Christ] told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. (Luke 10:2- 4 NIV)
We cannot “say goodbye to [our] family” (Luke 9:61 NIV) and we have no amenities or accommodations. This is not something we would ordinarily take up with open arms. Furthermore, discipleship is not a choice that we have, it’s an order. “Go!” Christ says and go we must. While spreading the good news is a natural deed for Christians, we cannot pretend that it is always easy.
That said, though hard is the way, even harder are the consequences of not doing this. Though the difficulty is great, greater is the joy that we anticipate. Furthermore, though discipleship sounds difficult and indeed impossible, “with God all things are possible” (Mathew 19:26 NIV). This is the point to be remembered: we cannot do anything by relying on ourselves. We must cling to God always and realise that it is only with God’s help and love that we can live the Christian life of discipleship.
And indeed there is beauty in the struggle of discipleship. Though Christ himself uses the imagery of “war” (Luke 14:31 NIV) to describe discipleship, it must be borne in mind that we are fighting for something beautiful and wonderful. As Rob, our study center leader, said recently, it is like how men in Ukrainian families leave their families at the border to go back into the thick of the conflict. They are fighting for their country and for a just cause. For Christians, it is similar. As per the old hymn, we are “clad in salvation’s full armour” to “join in the battle for truth.” Though we must make sacrifices, what we are fighting for is immensely beautiful. It is a plentiful “harvest” that we are to reap (Luke 10:2 NIV). It is joyful. And it is eternal.
This can also, I think, affect how we talk about our faith with non-believing friends. Instead of the sombre tone of, “If you’re curious, you should come to church,” we can, as Joshua from Bible Study said, invite people enthusiastically. “You should definitely come! It’s a great time!” is much more effective and in fact much more sincere than the former invitation. We should issue invitations far and wide and in joyful acclamation and those whom God has called will surely respond.
Jesus says “in this world [we] will have trouble,” but “take heart! For I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV). Life is a flicker, a “mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14 NIV).
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV)
Let us, therefore, “store up for [ourselves] treasures in heaven” and let us not fixate on earthly deeds and achievements. Let us always be conscious that we are “citizens of heaven” (Philippians 3:20 NLT). While we are here let us “set [our] minds on things above” (Colossians 3:2 NIV), turn our gazes heavenward and anchor our perspectives on eternity.
Such thoughts and convictions have grown in me in my time at the Joseph & Alice Mckeen Study Center and while spending time with my Christian brothers and sisters and with God. These certainties mean that I feel less of the embarrassment or fear the judgement that I did when I arrived several months ago and feel more emboldened to declare and live out my faith.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35 NIV). As one who has been forgiven much, I strive to love much (Luke 7:47 NIV). It is this indescribable and unfathomable love that we are called to share as Christ’s disciples.
Lord, I thank you for what you have done to me.
I thank you for working through those around me and working in me.
Lord, I thank you for filling in what was hollow,
For giving rest to what was restless
And for letting me know who I am and whose I am.
This is your life not mine.
So help me glorify you in all that I do.
Amen