Who To Follow

I’m almost in my 2nd year of my side hustle, being a dad. It’s been a whirlwind of blessings, challenges and fun, but also of amazement. I’m a very hands-on father. I take teaching her things very seriously and helping her grow, but as with everything, in a fun manner.  

Let me tell you this, kids are always watching and learning. I’m starting to see traits, reactions and characteristics that her mom and I have in her. She’s picking things up and learning from what we do, how we live. We have a little disciple for the most part. 

By definition a disciple is a follower or student of a teacher or leader. When we are kids we are the leaders/teachers. When kids are young they are not choosing who to follow, it’s just who they trust. As we get older, we have choices. 

I’m sure many people think of disciples as something religious, focused on Jesus, but really it's a more worldly thing. It is simply how you model your life. It’s more common to hear it surround Christians because that’s been where it was dominantly used. 

It’s not to say that all Christians are disciples. Now in the Christian sense, to be a true Christian you need to follow and live the teachings of Jesus. That’s more than church on Sunday and a few holidays, but that seems to be enough for people to label themselves as “Christian”.

There are a lot of people who call themselves Christians, but are they really? If I have a motorcycle, leather jacket and boots and ride my Harley a few times a year, am I really a biker?

I have a table saw, wood and some nails, does that make me a woodworker?  I guess if I stay at a Holiday Inn. 

Too often we are faking our way through life. We want to be seen a certain way, but the life to truly be whatever the label means is too much work for us. To be a true Christian you have to understand Jesus’ teachings. You can’t just say you are and go to church when you feel like it. You need to crack open your bible (wonder how many self-proclaimed Christians actually have Bibles - I can get you one if you want one…seriously). 

I used to think I was a Christian when I went to church on Sunday and just was a nice person, but looking back, I was just giving myself a title. It meant as much as calling myself the King of Nebraskaland because I was just going through the motions. 

I take my faith very seriously (notice I call it faith, not religion) and I know I have to be better. I try to walk the walk of being a Christian, just like I’m trying to walk the walk in my career - always learning, my parenting - always teaching positive things, my marriage (still trying there - sorry Cort), my friend circles…everything…trying to be better. 

When we are kids we are disciples of our parents. As we get older we get to choose what we are a disciple of, which isn’t easy because there are so many options and paths to choose. The most fruitful path will always be the hardest. One that will challenge us till the day we die.