Looking down the road

There are many images that today’s Gospel can be connected with.

The first one to enter my thought process was: much like the candidates in the local government elections, have sent us all their information telling us what they stand for, this morning’s Gospel has Jesus asking would be followers what they stand for and how they are willing to live. The second image that came to mind, was that of professional runner getting ready to run the race of their career all the while there’s the nervous but excited coach checking how prepared the runner is.

With his words in Luke, Jesus seems to be asking those who claim to want to follow him how ready they are to do it.

As modern followers and seekers, we need to bare some things in mind, that when Christianity was born most of its followers were poor nobody’s – The down and outers: so when Jesus speaks of having no place to lay his that would have been an image applicable to many around him.

The other undeniable fact of the Gospel, than we see every time we open it;

Is its call for authenticity. Whatever we do we are being called to make it real, To make it matter! Again as modern followers and seekers, we need to remember that Christianity was born into a world polluted by religious, political and social hypocrisy; and that the removal of such ideas is a huge part of the Christian calling. Or some would argue that it is the essence of the calling. With that in mind perhaps Jesus’ words about leaving our lives can take on a different meaning?

Are we being told inside a faith based on compassion and grace to abandon our everyday responsibilities to those we love?

No, I believe we are being reminded that the call of Christ is all encompassing, we are being reminded to look at every aspect of life through the eyes of God, to live inside fatherly love and trust it: rather than seek answers independently of it. We all know that quick perusal of the Gospel will show us many examples of God providing for his people; one of my favourites is:

Matthew 6:26 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?

27 Can worry make you live longer?[a]

Here we see God’s heart for people, his desire to care for us: we are being invited to trust him and in that trust we being asked to go we he leads.

I’m sure that I don’t need to remind you, that a huge part of faith and life in general is leaving our comfort zones behind. You guys probably have a books worth of examples about that. What’s interesting about today’s gospel is, it gives us a really raw view of serving God. While the Church promotes comfort, safety and protection, you know “we follow Jesus isn’t that lovely” With his honesty, Jesus is painting a picture that kills off nearly all of the romantic notions of discipleship.

He’s basically saying “Here’s what real life looks like, do you want to be involved in it?” What’s our answer this morning? How do we feel as we pick up our cross for another day? Fully aware of the challenges the cross brings with it.

Are we prepared to look forward and let the love God take us into new relationships and places? So others may know and we may truly know ourselves?

As we ponder these questions, along with the church as a whole; let it sink in;

That Jesus promised his love would be with us always.

Amen