Follow Me - January 13

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 18:1-20; PM Psalm 18:21-50; Gen. 4:17-26; Heb. 3:1-11; John 1:43-51

In my office is a large piece of paper with a house drawn on it.  There are four pillars that hold up a roof and a large base underneath.  This house is filled with words, specifically the many ministries of Saint Stephen’s.  The pillars are Formation, Outreach, Care of Creation, and Pastoral Care and the base is Administration.  All of these hold up Worship with the worship ministries being supported by everything else. 

The picture is a tool that helps our Vestry understand the mission and ministry of Saint Stephen’s.  It gives us a vision to live into that defines the values of our congregation and helps us organize the scope and trajectory of our church.  It also places worship at the core where everything in our church supports worship.  Worship is where most people engage with Saint Stephen’s.  It is by far the most widely attended activity at the church, what people search for, and where they are nourished by word and sacrament.  One could make the argument that it is the most important practice we do. 

But I was reminded of an old meme when I read the Gospel appointed for today.  In John’s Gospel, before the action of the Gospel takes place, before we witness signs that point us to who Jesus is, Jesus ventures off to Galilee.  When he meets Philip, he clearly says “Follow me.”  It’s the most important words that Philip will ever hear, instructions that will change his life forever.  And then Philip finds Nathanael and invites him to come and meet Jesus too.  The meme I was reminded of stated, “Jesus never told us to worship him. He instructed us to follow him.” 

That quote struck me today.  I love worship, and most of the time worship nourishes my soul and I believe gives me the strength to live into who God has called me to be, but the author is making a point that sometimes we confuse the two. Is it possible that sometimes we think worshiping Jesus is more important than following Jesus?

Jesus invited Philip to follow him.  And he invites us to do the same.  Our worship should always be the fuel for the journey, a practice that grounds us in how we live out our faith, that points us in the way of following Jesus.  How might you follow Jesus more nearly this day?

John+

Questions for Reflection:  What are ways that you follow Jesus?  How often do you think about these practices or values?  How do they shape your life?  Are there times when worship has helped you to follow Jesus?  What about becoming an impediment?

Daily Challenge:  As you are finishing answering your questions, try to pick one thing you can do to follow Jesus that is different from prayer and worship.  Do it today!