This statue at the Prince of Peace Abbey reminds me that Jesus smiles and opens his arms to us
By Bill Gaultiere © 2009
I pray for you to learn to live your life as the disciple Jesus loves. The Apostle John identified himself this way (John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 21:20) and made Jesus his best friend. He overflowed with the love of God in ways that have brought healing and transformation to countless people over the centuries.
Regardless of whether or not you consider yourself a “Christian” you need to ask yourself, “Have I ever made a whole-hearted decision to become a disciple of Jesus, to follow his plan and his way for me? Or am I trying to make my life go the way I want it to (and get God to help me succeed)?
In had been living as a “Christian” for over 30 years, but I was depressed. It was the year 2002. Marriage, family, friendships, career, and ministry were all going well for me. But I had lost my enthusiasm for Christ and life years ago. I had drifted out of my calling from God to use psychology to help leaders grow spiritually. I was preoccupied with my accomplishments, envious of others’ success, worried about money and other problems, quick to get frustrated and to complain, and neglectful of the people around me.
Then Dallas Willard presented Jesus’ gospel of the kingdom of heaven to me in a way that I’d never understood it before…
“Think again about how you’re living your life in light of the opportunity to live your daily life with me as my apprentice in the kingdom of the heavens; turn your life over to me – each aspect, each decision – and I will govern you in love and wisdom” (Matthew 4:17, paraphrase).
I rededicated my life to be an “apprentice” of Jesus. I decided to reorganize my whole life – all that I do – around learning to be with Jesus to become like him. Instead of trying to make my projects for my life succeed I would abandon all outcomes to the Lord.
“How would Jesus do what I am doing if he were me? What was God doing around me that I could participate in as I was going about my life?” This was the opportunity of bringing my life into God’s kingdom as I…
- Interacted with my family
- Counseled clients in psychotherapy
- Spoke to groups of people
- Wrote articles and devotions from my website
- Encountered a neighbor
- Drove my car
- Waited in line
- Responded to someone who criticized me
- Saw a homeless person on the curb
- Reacted to disappointment and stress
- Got up in the morning and went to bed at night
All these things – everything I said and did – could become expressions of my love relationship with Jesus my Lord! Little-by-little apprenticeship to Jesus became the source of my comfort and confidence and what gave me meaning in monotony and joy in trials.
There are many important aspects to my spiritual renewal: being mentored by Ray Ortlund and Dallas Willard, my spiritual friendship with my wife Kristi and other friends, and practicing a variety of spiritual disciplines. (As part of the ministry of Soul Shepherding I write and speak about these things.)
How about you? Where are you at with Jesus? Are you living the details of your daily life as his apprentice? It begins with a decision and prayer from your heart that you can make right now…
Join me in praying “The Apprentice Prayer” that God has used to help me and many others to live each day as the disciple Jesus loves.
It’s people like you who support the ministry of Soul Shepherding, which includes articles like this. Perhaps you would like to invest in the renewal of pastors, missionaries, leaders, and care-givers? Even small donations given with prayer in Jesus’ name add up to make Soul Shepherding’s ministry possible.Thank you!
Bill & KristiWilliam Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org
