“God’s grace produces men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, not pampered, spoiled weaklings.” Chambers, July 7

Chamber’s words ignite a longing to be like Jesus, walk like him, be both humble and bold like him. The church today needs to embrace both the discipline and the willing heart to be rejected.

A visiting professor not too many years ago was speaking to a class about discipleship and discipleship-making. He kept going on and on about wanting to live like Jesus and go through life like Jesus. The professor stood up and in front of the young man and promptly hit him on the head. Then he slapped his face and spit on him. He sat down and said “there is how Jesus faced life.”

I am so protective of my feelings and my safety that it stops my words from having the bold tenor that Jesus, the one of whom I bear “a strong family likeness,” had when on earth physically.

Today, I might be rejected, or face ridicule, but I will not be ignored. Let your voice be heard through my life and actions and words, oh Lord.