What does it really mean?
May 26, 2009 by Todd McGehee
I lead with a question that I have been thinking about today: What does it really mean to be a disciple, a follower of Christ? I’m asking myself this question because I need to rethink what it looks like today. Before you jump to conclusions, I do think it looks today much like it did in the first century. But I am struggling with what it looks like in a world that is vastly different than it was even 5 years ago and in my life that is vastly different than it was 3 years ago. Continue Reading
Seed
May 21, 2009 by Todd McGehee
Jesus uses agrarian parables throughout his ministry. I tend to agree with Neal Cole that in part Jesus chooses his parables to illustrate the organic nature of God’s work and His reign. But Jesus also chooses examples that are familiar to the people hearing his message.
The parable of the soils would have made perfectly good sense to the hearers of the story. They understood how rare and important good soil was. And in a day when there were no modern technologies to improve the production of crops, Jesus’ audience understood the complete inability of the sower to make the crop grow.
Ultimately, the parable teaches us that we (Christ followers) are responsible for sowing God’s word and trusting God for the growth. God’s word, in this context, includes, but is not limited to, God’s revelation and His reign through the person and work of Jesus. That being said, for us to sow “God’s word” we Christ followers must begin to live as Christ did- to be controlled by the Spirit as Christ was controlled by the Spirit, to love and serve as Christ loved and served, and to speak the truth of God as Jesus spoke the truth of God.
It’s not our job to make things happen. It’s not our responsibility to make people respond or grow. It’s just our job to live out the reign of God in our lives and to speak the truth of Christ every where we go.
Go sow seed and let God take care of the outcome! Much easier said than done, I know! I struggle everyday not to allow “life” to get in the way of sowing. I have to remind myself constantly that my primary job is to sow seed, not plan ministry or prepare sermons. My primary calling is not to lead the already convinced but to spread God’s word to the hearts of people who have yet to experience His love and power.
Today, let’s sow some seed! Continue Reading
Follow Me
May 14, 2009 by Todd McGehee
I’ve been living with the idea of what it means to follow Jesus. I got to be honest, sometimes I don’t think that I am capable or worthy of following Him. At other times I could care less about what it means to follow Jesus because I am so wrapped up in daily tasks and trivial pursuits. And yet at other times the sheer breadth and depth of what it means to follow Jesus seems why beyond my ability to grasp and understand. Continue Reading
