Loving God. Loving Self. Loving Others. by Blane Baker

This Season of Lent has been unlike any that I could ever have imagined. I suspect that many of you would voice the same sentiment. With the outbreak of over 300,000 COVID-19 cases in the US alone, our preparations for Holy Week are vastly different than our usual routines. Worship services throughout much of this Lenten Season have been held online, and community gatherings such as our annual Easter Egg Hunt have been canceled.

While much of what we have experienced feels disruptive and even frightening, I believe our faith can grow, and we can reach new depths of discipleship despite the pandemic hanging over us. In his book Dissident Discipleship, David Augsburger proposes a spirituality that is inwardly directed, upwardly compliant, and outwardly committed. This kind of discipleship is not new; however, it is rarely practiced by even the most faithful. To show us the attributes of this radical discipleship, Augsburger examines the life of Christ, especially His teachings on relationships. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus espoused meekness, humility, and purity—traits that deepen our relationships with God and others. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus emphasized not only personal forgiveness of sins but also forgiveness of others’ sins. Later, when asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus preached the love of God and love of neighbor.

To practice what Augsburger proposes, I believe that we must develop a clear understanding of ourselves in the context of our relationship with God. At the same time, we must begin to see as God sees and love as God loves. As we transform inwardly and upwardly, we will change our view of neighbor and the world around us. In dissident discipleship, the love of God will not be separated from the love of self or love of others. All three enrich our souls and help us to maintain balance. As you read these words, you might be asking whether or not this radical transformation is possible. I am asking the same question.

In the midst of quarantining, social distancing, and sheltering in place, how do we become dissident disciples? In my view, we must not fall into the mindset of merely doing certain acts to please God. For us, a shift in focus is helpful—and even required. Actions are important, but they must be motivated by a sense of authenticity—an authenticity that values discovering, choosing, serving, being, and even risking. Other actions that do not embrace the love, mercy and grace of God keep us from genuine discipleship. Authentic love transforms us and compels us to embrace our neighbor. As we love God and grow more and more to love ourselves, we will love others, too. Others include friends, family, and honored guests but also the unloved and unlovable. May it be so!