Job’s suffering is a model for us, not just in his endurance and its rewards, but in the quality of his passion for the presence of God in his life. Job longed to see God, not just an end to his suffering. He had a passionate faith that consumed him. The Psalmist also calls the people of God to passionate and courageous faith. To seek the presence of the Lord requires faith that we will experience the Kingdom of God in our lives on this earth.

These lessons are helpful to us in building the character it takes to be disciples. Jesus calls us to discipleship in the Gospel of Luke today, to labor in his harvest. But before we can do that, I think we first have to have a passionate belief that the bounty and good things of the Lord are all around us to announce that ‘the Kingdom of God is at hand.’ We have to be courageous to call people to live a new life, to be a new creation. And, we have to be passionate in our faith to live that way ourselves. The call to discipleship is a call to a different way of life. It is witnessing the good things of the Lord to others by bringing peace and healing to the world.

Announcing that ‘the Kingdom of God is at hand’ can be an overwhelming challenge. The needs are so great and not everywhere do people seek peace and healing. Discipleship is a high calling, but I don’t think it is meant for just a few. I think we can all be disciples every day if even in a small way. We can demonstrate peace and wholeness in our own lives. That’s all Jesus asks of us. It doesn’t have to be grandiose. But it does have to be personal.