I love freedom. I love to feel free, like a child running with her hair and dress blowing back in the wind, arms open wide. I want to embrace life, experience all it has to offer and learn all I can. I push against my limits in long, pressing stretches.
But the life of a disciple does not look free. I am busy. I have responsibilities. I’m busier than almost anyone I know. Because I am a youth leader and a mother, I have wondered how my to do list (and never do list) might look to a child. Why would someone voluntarily become a disciple? Why would I, or anyone, willingly accept limits to my behavior and experience? Why would we follow anyone other than ourselves, especially someone we never met? Why would we take on more responsibility than necessary? Why?
I see that:
A disciple is both the freest person in all the world and the least free.
I have not always understood that reality. I feel so free as a follower of Christ that I could not understand why everyone was not flocking to discipleship. I am so blessed, why wouldn’t everyone want to be so happy, safe, and confident?
It isn’t that they don’t want those things. Everyone wants to be happy, secure, and confident. What is it then?
As a young adult, I attended my very first political debate. I listened to both parties with rapt attention, proud to be part of it, but I left utterly confused. I came home and called my dad. I said, “Everyone wants to have health, happiness and prosperity. Both candidates say they can deliver it best. How will I ever know who to vote for?”
He wisely answered, “It isn’t what they want that is different, but rather how they plan to reach that result.” The confusion dropped away, and it became clear. There are many, many candidates running for our vote with our lives, each promising health, happiness, well being and harmony. How will we know which creeds to follow, or if we should just follow our own nose?
“How” we propose to reach these desirable destinations or states of being is a journey, one that is unique to each individual but universal as well. We are all headed there. If we just knew where “there” was and how to get there, maybe life wouldn’t be so confusing. This much freedom feels like a night without stars, no visible destination and no direction.
Everyday Disciple- To read more of DarEll’s articles, click here.
We not only all need a path, we are all already on one. The choice of life isn’t whether to live, but how. The question is not whether to take a direction, but whether to keep going in that same direction.
This book is for people on the path of discipleship everyday or perhaps for those considering it. What is it really like? What are the endemic (predictable, inherent) problems and challenges to that path? Why, and most useful perhaps, how can we stay on it?
This is my journey, and it is our journey, everyday.
DarEll S. Hoskisson loves to do hard things, but not too hard. She shares her own challenges, goals and experiences as she guides you into a realistic path of self-reflection and self-improvement. She shares tips on how to find, know and trust yourself so you can decide if other’s suggestions are right for you.
DarEll has the world a little upside down—where work is play and play is work. She actually thinks other people’s problems are fun to try to solve and lights up with a personal challenge. She loves people, harmony, and excellence. She also loves useful things like tools and ideas that make work faster, easier and more fun.
DarEll married in 1993 and graduated from BYU (1995) with a bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education. Since then she was adopted by 5 children and has worked with many non-profits. She is currently a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor—leading pilates and yoga at her local YMCA.
DarEll lives in Florida where she enjoys her family, nature, her work, and encouraging people to live well.
She periodically posts her poems, what she is learning, and service opportunities on her personal blogs:
https://personalabridgements.wordpress.com and https://darellhoskisson.wordpress.com
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I can hardly wait to read the whole book! I cried when I read what your Dad wrote. He was very wise. 🙂 It is all in the “how”.
I love this article and have noticed in myself that same love for freedom. I think being incarcerated would be the worst thing I could imagine. I love being able to choose from moment to moment what I will do with my life. And yes, it is the biggest irony that being a disciple means that the Lord will ask things of me. I will become very busy and yet, also feel a peace that surpasses understanding. I want to read more of this book. Thank you!