Mere Discipleship
The following is one
man’s journey for meaning, ending in true discipleship, and another man’s
discipleship ending in true meaning:
“I said to myself, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.’ And behold, it too was futility. I said of laughter, ‘It is madness,’ and of
pleasure, ‘What does it accomplish?’ I
explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was
guiding me wisely… I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures
of men — many concubines… All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did
not withhold my heart from any pleasure… and behold all was vanity and striving
after wind and there was no profit under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11).”
In stark contrast to Solomon’s quest for life’s meaning and
personal happiness is Charles de Foucauld’s “Prayer of Abandonment,” referenced in Lee C. Camp’s book, “Mere
Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World.”
Prayer of Abandonment
By Charles de Foucauld
“My Father,
I abandon myself to
you.
Make of me what you
will.
Whatever you make of
me, I thank you.
I am ready for
everything
I accept everything.
Provided that your
will be done in me,
In all your
creatures,
I desire nothing
else, Lord.
I put my soul in your
hands,
I give it to you,
Lord,
With all the love in
my heart,
Because I love you,
And because it is for
me a need of love
To give myself,
To put myself in your
hands unreservedly,
With infinite trust.
For you are my
Father!”
“Let us hear the
conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this
is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).”
God is good. Mr. Steve
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