I know Kung Fu

My title may be a little misleading. I would probably have better success defeating you by sitting on you than actually applying anything I’ve learned from this martial art. What I have learned is that I have a lot to learn. I’ve been at this for more than a year now and I’m still not the lethal weapon I had originally hoped for when I first got started. For the most part I’m clumsy and awkward and don’t have the slightest clue what I’m doing most of the time. I have yet to have that Karate kid breakthrough where I realize “oh so that’s why I was doing the whole wax on wax off thing…” Still I press on because Kung Fu movies from 60’s and 70’s just make it look so cool. What I have learned is that if it were not for my instructors I would be at a complete loss. Week in and week out I show them that I am clumsy and awkward and am probably the worst student they have ever seen, which hopefully is not entirely true. The truth is though that I rarely practice and don’t really listen to my instructors and try to do it my way first (and usually fail miserably) and then I am corrected (again). In Christianity we seem to have the same set of issues in our churches. We have these very organized meetings where we come together to sing some songs and receive some very broad instructions on a topical or historical issue that will hopefully apply broadly enough across the generational gaps that enough of us will be placated till the next week. All of it is neatly wrapped up at the end with a song and an invitation to renew yourself as a follower of Jesus Christ, to put your faith in him or to ask for prayers. We have offerings and sometimes communion. I’m not attacking church services but in that time, who is teaching you? Who is challenging you as an individual? The Preacher? I hope not. In my classes for Kung Fu if we all only had one instructor it would be easy for me to hide in the shadows and appear as if I knew what was going on. Sure, every once in a while the instructor would pass by and see something that I’m doing wrong correct it and move on, but without one on one time how could I ever really advance? Personal study? I could do that, but there is only so much I can learn from books and the Internet. We have lost the art of discipleship in our fellowships. The old are no longer revered but passed by as nuisances who are in the way of progress. We need to be ok with not having it all together in the body and more willing to expose our weaknesses to those who are more experienced. That is we are willing to lay down the idol of self for the sake of the cross. Exposing our soft underbellies of struggle. If we submit ourselves to each other in accountability and teaching we can’t help but become stronger. Revealing yourself to someone who knows you and knows what is going on in your life to disciple you into a deeper relationship with Christ. The concept of a personal relationship with Christ in the 21st century looks more like a secret society of one, rather than a community of commitment and perseverance. Know that this is a journey that is filled with hard times and good times; all experienced better with companions who will help you through this process. In the end we may not be masters but we will be a body that actually works as body.