Dear one,
For several days now, I have had words gleaned from Dietrich Bonhoeffer ricocheting against the walls of my mind:
Only the one who believes obeys; only the one who obeys believes.
I am often intrigued by such statements, perhaps dating from those days, when first I encountered the word “paradox.” Strictly speaking, I find neither of these two thoughts paradoxical, that is, “a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true” (OED). However, when juxtaposed, I find myself pondering: Is it possible that both statements are true simultaneously?
In a larger context, Bonhoeffer had written of Jesus’ call upon Simon Peter and three others: “Follow me and I will make you to be fishermen of others” (Mark 1:17, my translation), arguing that Jesus’ call constituted the basis of “discipleship.” Thus discipleship is not a program or a technique—although these might provide formative and corrective guidance; rather, discipleship is first and foremost a personal response to the living Christ. Peter and the others heard Jesus call: “Follow me” and therein faced a decision: “Will I obey—will I do what He commands?”
Admittedly, Peter and the others heard Jesus’ voice: their hearing was audible, whereas, for most of us this is not our experience. Of course, Bonhoeffer recognized that few have ever “heard Jesus’ voice”; and yet, he also recognized that daily we in fact do hear “voices”—through literature, art, the internet, movies, and news outlets. Often we observe: “that really speaks to me,”… that painting, … that poem, … that music. And I would suggest that, even now as you are reading, you are “hearing” my “voice,” as entangled and convoluted as it sometimes “sounds.”
My point: of import is not the medium through which we “hear” Jesus’ voice, but rather: Are we listening? Do we believe that He is calling and/or commanding? If we do, then of even greater import: Are we obeying—are we doing what He calls us to do? In this regard I’m reminded of His provocative challenge: “Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do the things I say?” (Luke 6:46). Why indeed?
He’s calling: Are you believing and obeying/ obeying and believing? Will you write … or sing … or forgive … or paint … or listen … or heal … or teach … or build … or plant?
Faithfully,
Stan
Ps. I believe I am to write a trilogy, which few if any will ever read—and so I write.