Daily Devotions

Another aspect of discipleship is that of submission, perhaps a difficult concept to take on board in our 21st century .  The question we need to answer, “Am I willing to do this even when I do not understand the reason why, or even when do I not naturally enjoy what I am asked to do.”

We find an example of this in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 “We ask you too, my sisters and brothers, to get to know those who work so hard among you. They are your spiritual leaders to keep you on the right path. Because of this high task of theirs, hold them in highest honour.” And again in Hebrews 13:17 we find perhaps an ever tougher stance, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”

“Thomas a Kempis wrote: Jesus today has many who love his heavenly kingdom, but few who carry his cross; many who yearn for comfort, few who long for distress.

Plenty of people he finds to share his banquet, few to share his fast.

Everyone desires to take part in his rejoicing, but few are willing to suffer anything for his sake.

There are many that follow Jesus as far as the breaking of bread, few as far as drinking the cup of suffering; many that revere his morality, few that follow him in the indignity of his cross; many that love Jesus as long as nothing runs counter to them; many that praise and bless him, as long as they receive comfort from him; but should Jesus hide from them and leave them for a while, they fall into complaining or become deeply depressed.

Those who love Jesus for his own sake, not for the sake of their own comfort, bless him in times of trouble and heartache as much as when they are full of consolation.”

(The Imitation of Christ, Book 2 Chapter 36) 

Dear Father, patient one, Give us hearts that gladly show respect for those who labor among us and who lead us and admonish us in the Lord. Fill us with great esteem and deep love for them because of their work in the Lord. May we always be at peace among ourselves. In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.