It had been sitting on my night stand for months, just gathering dust, until I felt a little nudge to go pick it up, open it and begin reading. And I am so glad I did!
The book I’m referring to is called, The Signature of Jesus, and I knew almost nothing about it. However, I was familiar with the author, Brennan Manning and remember having read another book he’d written a number of years ago entitled, The Ragamuffin Gospel.
This book is a follow-up to that one, though both stand-alone. Even if some of the examples are a bit dated, the realities and principles are timeless.
Can I just say that I’ve been devouring The Signature of Jesus? When I started reading it, I had no idea how much it would tie into what I’ve been posting lately about the topic of discipleship.
In the introductory portion of the book, Manning asks the million dollar question: “Are you called to a life of radical discipleship?”
When I think of the concept of “radical discipleship,” I envision something extreme. I picture it as an all-in kind of attitude; no holds barred. Do anything, go anywhere, give it all up for Jesus.
But is that what all Christ-followers are all called to? Manning notes, “What Jesus longs to see in radical disciples is what he saw in little children: a spirit of sheer receptivity, utter dependence, and radical reliance on the power and mercy and grace of God mediated through the Spirit of Christ.”
One might think that we are all called to “radical discipleship,” but what I found rather surprising, is that Manning does not presume that all are called. In fact, he actually gives Scriptural examples of people who were NOT called.
“Not everyone is called like the rich young man to the radical renunciation of literally everything (see Mark 10:17-30).” While I agree with Manning that not all are called to give up everything like the rich young man, I also know that Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 16:24, that “whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.”
As Christ-followers, we are called to a life of self-denial and sacrifice. However, when it comes to what Jesus wants from each of us, perhaps therein lies what we might consider an individual call.
If you think of different encounters Jesus had with people, His interaction with them was unique. Think about the time when Jesus healed the demon-possessed man in Mark 5 and afterward the man begged to go with him. You would think Jesus would have said, “yes! Come with me!” But he didn’t. Instead, Jesus had another calling for the man. Jesus said to him, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:18-19).
Manning writes, “Apparently, this man was not called to radical discipleship. Yet he was called, as we are called, to listen attentively to God’s first word to us.”
Even though the man was called to stay, he still had a vital role to play and a way to advance God’s kingdom. He was told to tell his family two things: 1) how much the Lord had done for him and, 2) how He had mercy on him. Isn’t that fascinating? I wonder how big that man’s family was and what kind of influence they might have had on those around them. I have a feeling it was quite significant.
If you feel like you were willing to “go” with Jesus but He wanted you to “stay,” have you determined what He wants you to do where you are? If not, maybe one way would be, like the man who was healed, to share with others how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you.
Whether or not we’ve been called to be disciples right where we are, or half-way around the world, I believe God desires to use us to further the advancement of His kingdom. One way we can do that is to testify to what He has done in our lives.
Some of us my not feel well-equipped or even verbally courageous to do that, but perhaps the power of the Holy Spirit could give us the voice and courage we need, just as He did for the disciples. (See Acts 1:8).
If you are wondering whether or not God has called you to radical discipleship, Manning says that you will need both honesty and discernment. Why not spend some time in prayer, asking God what radical discipleship might look like in your life if you’re not already engaged in it.
If we find that we are indeed called to it, there are a couple of key things that we will need to put it into practice…come back soon to find out what they are.
Do you think you are called to radical discipleship? Why or why not? I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Please comment below.
Until next time, let us go be radiant as we share with others what God has done for us and how He has had mercy on us.
Go Be Radiant 