True discipleship

The following is a comment I left at our Grace Creativity blog. I liked it so much, I decided to post it here.

Something I always try and remember about discipleship is that I don't think we every really arrive at being Christian. While in this life/on this road, we will be forever striving to become more and more Christ-like. What makes people become complacent in their path toward this end though? I abhor the idea that once we get to a certain age/stage/level of Christ-likeness we are done, through, arrived. I don't think we ever get there. There is always one more compassionate action, one more worldly object to get rid of, and one more hour of prayer to strive for.

Here is where the whole American culture comes into play [and the question whether it is possible to whole-heartedly pursue Christ-likeness in this culture]. Everything we see on TV/movies, read in mags, hear in music/news, learn from our culture-appointed leaders is ME! I AM THE ONLY PERSON THAT MATTERS! MY SAFETY/COMFORT/HAPPINESS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO GOD!!! O Lord, help us.

I heard John Piper tell a story once in a message that I think relates. He talked about a retirement-aged lady in his church who had worked her whole life as a nurse. When she retired, hearing the call of God and responding, she moved to a South American country and began serving as a medical missionary. She gave medical assistance and aid to those who were less fortunate, offering practical hope/salvation to people. After several years of serving, she died in a tragic automobile accident.

Now how we respond to that story is the key here. Dr. Piper said there were many in his church that saw her life/death as sad, wasteful, and unfortunate. She should have been living it up here in the states, enjoying the numerous benefits of completing a long successful career. They pitied her and the choices she made. WHAT MAKES US THINK THAT WAY??? Why is following God and serving Him with all we've got seem like a waste? The truth is, her "retirement" will probably be more valuable than we realize.

Discipleship is costly, painful, and not worth it. True discipleship, that is.