Day 21 of Lent :: Followers

“Come, Follow Me.”

Jesus

The Danish philosopher and theologian Søren Kierkegaard, penned the following penetrating words in the 1800’s. It is well known that Christ consistently used the expression “follower.” He never asks for admirers, worshippers, or adherents. No, he calls disciples. It is not adherents of a teaching but followers of a life Christ is looking for.

What then, is the difference between an admirer and a follower? A follower is or strives to be what he admires. An admirer, however, keeps himself personally detached. He fails to see that what is admired involves a claim upon him, and thus he fails to be or strive to be what he admires.*

Refection: On a piece of paper or in your journal, make two columns. On the one side, list out words and actions that describe a “follower.” On the other side create a list depicting an “admirer.”

Prayer: Pray through your two lists. Asking God to give you the resolve to live more as a follower than admirer.

Action: Carry out some “giving” actions. Clean out your closets and donate clean and wearable clothing to a charitable organization. Do a favor for a neighbor.

“We say we want to forget the world,
but in the depths of our hearts we

do not want to be forgotten by it.”**

Francois Fenelon

*Charles E. Moore, Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard, 85.
**Francois Fenelon, The Complete Fenelon, 199.